VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Priced Lanes
Sub-Category: High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes

Project - WASHINGTON: HOT Lanes on SR 167 in the Puget Sound Region

The Puget Sound Regional Council of Washington State estimates that by 2030, 45% of the core freeway system in the Seattle metropolitan area will be congested. The State Route (SR) 167 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Pilot Project converted the existing HOV lanes on SR 167 within King County/Seattle, Washington to HOT lanes, from Southwest 15^th Street in Auburn to I-405 in Renton without expansion of the existing freeway. This four year pilot project will evaluate the ability of the HOT lane concept to manage congestion and generate revenue. During the four-year pilot, the facility's performance, socioeconomic impacts, and public interest/acceptance of the facility will be assessed on an annual basis.

Visit the project web site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/SR167HotLanes/default.htm.

Operational Status

October - December 2011 Update

The SR 167 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Pilot Project continues to gather momentum. The outreach and education associated with the opening of tolls on the SR 520 bridge, coupled with the smaller and less expensive transponders, have played an important role in dramatically increasing the transponder penetration of vehicles in SR 167. With more vehicles able to use the lanes, the average monthly tolled volume has increased to more than 60,000 with an average toll paid between $1.00 and $1.25. The afternoon before Thanksgiving witnessed the highest toll rate – $6.50 in the southbound direction.

For More Information Contact

Patty Rubstello
Project Manager
Washington State DOT
Phone: (425) 450-2720
E-mail: rubstep@wsdot.wa.gov

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