Panel to study express toll on I-405

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is gathering a panel of five transportation experts to study a possible 50-mile express toll system on Interstate 405.

Similar to what the state imposed on Highway 167, the I-405 system would let drivers pay a toll that varies with congestion levels, in order to use a special lane.

State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said the panel will provide "a fresh and neutral perspective" to the state's study of the future Eastside corridor.

The panelists are Ginger Goodin from the Texas Transportation Institute of the Texas A&M University System; Robert Poole, an independent transportation consultant; Chuck Fuhs with Parson Brinckerhoff in Houston; Jennifer Tsien, who works with the Florida Turnpike Enterprise; and Janet Lee, with the Public Resource Advisory Group.

The panel will meet three times beginning in September, and at the end of the year will issue a report looking at the policy of a toll lane, the phasing and the finances.

In May 2009, the state Legislature directed the DOT to study a high occupancy toll (HOT) or express toll lanes on I-405 to complement the existing SR 167 HOT lanes. The DOT completed the study and delivered a final report to the Legislature in January.

That study found that express toll lanes can move more people and vehicles through the corridor compared with adding general-purpose lanes and that express toll lanes could provide additional revenue and help fund other improvements in the corridor.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com