Can motorcyclists use the new I-405 express toll lanes for free?

Yes they can, if you pay $38...

Here's a letter that arrived 3/24/15 from WA DOT

Hi there,

I am contacting you on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Toll Division. We would appreciate the opportunity to attend an upcoming motorcycle club meeting to speak with folks about the I-405 Express Toll Lanes Project.

You have likely noticed an increase in construction activity along the I-405 corridor. WSDOT contractors have been working to build express toll lanes on I-405 from Lynnwood to Bellevue, scheduled to open later this year.

Drivers on I-405 experience some of the worst traffic in the state—up to eight hours of congestion each day—and the HOV lanes are often as congested as the regular lanes. New express toll lanes will give non-carpool drivers a choice to use the HOV lanes by paying a toll. As more drivers use the express toll lanes, traffic, will also move faster in the regular lanes. Motorcycles will be able to use the express toll lanes for free with a Good To Go! motorcycle pass ($8).

We would be happy to attend an upcoming meeting to brief your group on how the I-405 express toll lanes will work and what drivers need to do to be ready. You can get more information on I-405 express toll lanes by visiting our website.

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting with your group later this spring.

Sincerely,

Kate

Kate Elliott
WSDOT Toll Division
Communications Consultant
elliotk@consultant.wsdot.wa.gov

...and Laura Johnson adds (thanks Ian B.)

Motorcycles need a Good To Go! account ($30) and a motorcycle pass ($8) to use the lanes toll-free. The motorcycle pass is the most accurate way we have to ensure motorcycles are not charged tolls. There isn’t a way to open an account without the $30 pre-payment, but as long as you’re using a motorcycle anywhere except the SR 520 or Tacoma Narrows bridges that money will just sit there and you can always get it back if you decide to close your account.

The question a number of riders have is why are they allowed to travel at no charge without a Good to Go pass in the toll lanes along SR 167, but DOT wants to charge them for a Good to Go account to ride in the lanes along I-405?

As stated during our April Sound RIDER! online broadcast, we're fine if Washington State rescinds the current ruling. It simply makes sense.

The American Motorcyclist Association has responded to Washington state with a well thought letter written by Western Regional Rep, Nick Harris. A copy of it is available to read below.

Let your voice be heard by emailing elliotk@consultant.wsdot.wa.gov

For more information:

• How I-405 tolling lanes work
• Motorcycle Good to Go Pass details
• Read the AMA's response to WA DOT's decision