Drivers relying on Interstate 405 this weekend should plan for major delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes as crews funnel the highway down to two lanes between Bellevue and Bothell.
Beginning Friday, September 25 at 11 p.m., crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close two lanes in both directions of I-405 between I-90 in Bellevue and Northeast 195th in Bothell. The lane closures are necessary to complete final striping and open 17 miles of I-405 express toll lanes between Bellevue and Lynnwood on Sunday, Sept. 27.
“Nearly a quarter of a million people use I-405 every weekend, and we need every one of them to plan ahead before they get on the road,” said Lisa Hodgson, WSDOT project engineer. “Whether they’re headed to a game at Husky Stadium or CenturyLink Field, drivers should plan for delays and use alternate routes to make sure they arrive before kickoff.”
Closure details
Friday, September 25, at 11 p.m. to Sunday, September 27, at noon:
- Two lanes in both directions of I-405 will remain open between I-90 in Bellevue and Northeast 195th in Bothell.
- All Northeast 6th direct access ramps will be closed.
- All Northeast 128th direct access ramps will be closed.
- During late evening and early morning hours, I-405 may be reduced to one lane in each direction at SR 520 and SR 522.
Drivers should plan ahead or reschedule trips to avoid delays. For the most up-to-date details and detour maps, please visit the I-405 construction updates page. This work is weather dependent. If it is delayed, it will impact the Sunday, Sept. 27, opening of express toll lanes.
In the Puget Sound area, drivers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, by tracking the WSDOT traffic Twitter feed, and get advanced information from the What’s Happening Now page.
Time to get Good To Go! for I-405 express toll lanes
Commuters have T-minus six days and counting to decide which Good To Go! pass is best for them. Any existing Good To Go! pass will work to pay a toll in the express toll lanes, but only the Flex Pass will allow carpools to declare HOV status and ride toll-free.
“If you’re calling Good To Go!, please be patient and expect long wait times,” said Assistant Secretary Craig Stone. “The fastest way to buy a Flex Pass is through a retailer: QFC, Walgreens and Fred Meyer and activate it online atMyGoodToGo.com.
Good To Go! call center hours have been extended from Sept. 21 through Oct. 23. The hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours for Saturday are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If purchasing a Flex Pass through Good To Go! it may take up to a week for drivers to receive it in the mail. It may take up to three weeks to receive a free Flex Pass in the mail if requested through RideshareOnline.com and it likely won’t arrive before Sept. 27.
When the system opens on Sept. 27, drivers will have the option to pay a toll for a faster, more reliable trip using the 17-mile system of express toll lanes from Bellevue to Lynnwood. Toll rates, set by the Washington State Transportation Commission, will adjust based on traffic congestion to keep the lanes moving at 45 mph or better.
To learn more about I-405 express toll lanes visit www.GoodToGo405.org.
