WSDOT HOV Overview

WSDOT Puget Sound HOV lane map https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/hov-lanes/hov-system-map

WSDOT has been working on extending and completing the HOV lane system through the Puget Sound region encompassing King, Pierce, and Snohomish County. This article will provide a short recap of the existing freeway system as well as future extensions, though predominantly focusing on the HOV improvements for transit purposes.

Many of the existing HOV direct access ramps were built as part of Sound Move in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Recent I-5 and SR-16 HOV extensions throughout Tacoma will be extended on I-5 south to Lakewood.

I-5 HOV Future Improvements

This section will go over recently completed and near-term future HOV extensions. Possible I-5 HOV conversion to tolling, I-5 lid, and I-5 master plan will be discussed in future articles.

Marysville HOV extension - RecapA conceptual illustration of northbound I-5 near Everett, showing the HOV lane extension while maintaining three general purpose lanes by WSDOTA conceptual illustration of the improvements on northbound I-5 near Marysville, showing how three general purpose lanes and the new HOV lane will merge back to three general purpose lanes by WSDOT

On August 14, 2024, WSDOT opened the HOV lane extension on northbound Interstate 5 from Everett to Marysville. The new HOV lanes might moderately help the 904, 905, and 907 Community Transit express buses.

I-5 - NB Marine View Drive to SR 529 - Corridor and Interchange ImprovementsA conceptual drawing of the new on- and off-ramps at the interchange of I-5 and SR 529 near Marysville. Minor modifications may be made as the design-builder completes design work. By WSDOT

In addition, WSDOT will be adding new ramps from I-5 northbound to SR 529 and SR 529 to southbound I-5.

I-5 to SR 16 Tacoma/Pierce County HOV ProgramCurrent and Future HOV lanes in Pierce County, the missing portion on i-5 between i-705 and Fife is already built

The I-5 to SR 16 Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program added HOV lanes on SR-16, a new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and extended HOV lanes on I-5 from SR-16 to the King County border.

I-5 Lakewood HOV Lanes I-5 along Dupont

The I-5 Mounts Rd. to Steilacoom-DuPont Rd Corridor Improvements project extends I-5 HOV south from Lakewood into DuPont. The project started in 2023 and will complete in 2026.

New I-5 and Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange at exit 119 in Pierce County

WSDOt will also build a new interchange at Steilacoom-DuPont Road. The I-5 HOV lane will help the Intercity Transit Route 620, a freeway express bus from Olympia to Lakewood, as well as ST Express Route 592, from Dupont to Seattle.

I-405Map of the Renton to Bellevue project ETLs and the 167 HOT lanes and planned ETLs

Currently from Bellevue to Lynnwood there are express toll lanes with dual toll lanes from Bellevue to Kirkland. While from Bellevue to Renton currently exists a single HOV lane.

I-405 Lynnwood to BellevueBrickyard to SR 527 improvement project map

Currently on i-405 there's the Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project which will extend the dual lane ETL north to SR 527 from it's current end at NE 160th St. Additionally 4 new Stride stations will be added for the Stride 2 Freeway BRT from Bellevue to Lynnwood.

Canyon Park direct access rampsBothell / Woodinville Transit Center

A new Canyon Park Station will be built near the SR 527 interchange. Secondly a new Bothell / Woodinville Transit Center will be constructed at the SR 522/I-405 interchange along with new center direct access ramps.

Brickyard inline freeway stationI-405/85th Street interchange

A Brickyard inline freeway station will be built next to the existing park and ride. While at 85th street the I-405/85th Street interchange project would add an inline BRT station. Combined with the existing Totem Lake freeway station, Stride 2 BRT would have 5 stations along I-405.

I-405 Bellevue to RentonToll Lanes along I-405 from Renton to Bellevue by WSDOT

Currently on I-405 south of Bellevue, WSDOT is constructing the Bellevue to Renton Widening and Express Lanes project. The project will expand the freeway by one lane in each direction as well as convert the existing HOV lane for two toll lanes in each direction. There was previously an article about Stride 1 Freeway BRT from Bellevue via Renton to Burien that discussed in more detail the direct access ramps at NE 44th Street and 112th Avenue Southeast.

I-405 Tolls

In 2025, the new toll lanes on I-405 from Renton to Bellevue will open along with the direct connector from SR-167 to I-405.

SR-167 Overview

Currently toll lanes exist on SR-167 from Auburn via Kent up to Renton. WSDOT recently completed the SR-167 Master Plan and is extending the toll lanes south from Auburn to Puyallup.

SR-167 Corridor Improvements ProjectThe SR 167 Corridor Improvements Project is comprised of the SR 167 Toll Equipment Upgrade Project (shown in orange)and the SR 167, SR 516 to South 277th Street Southbound Auxiliary Lane Project (shown in purple).

WSDOT's SR 167 Corridor Improvements Project will standardize toll equipment on SR 167 with I-405 and add an auxiliary lane on southbound SR 167. WSDOT started construction in 2023 will finish 2026.

SR 167 from SR 410 to SR 18 NB HOV Lanes

In February 2023, WSDOT built a new northbound HOV lane on SR 167 between Puyallup and Auburn, the additional lane will transition to an Express Toll Lane at a later point.

The southbound section on SR 167 from Auburn to Puyallup will receive a toll lane as a later project. The future SR 167 completion project to the Port of Tacoma stage 1 adding roundabouts is currently under construction.

SR 167 Master PlanSR 167 Final Study Recommendations from WSDOT.
Direct access ramps shown with black diamond.

In 2023, WSDOT finished the SR 167 Master Plan which recommended adding a second toll lane for dual toll lanes in each direction along the entire SR 167 from Tacoma via Kent to Renton. The SR 167/I-405 interchange would continue to receive upgrades for direct access ramps in more directions, though would cost quite a lot of land and money to build.

For transit, the plan suggested adding a SR 167 BRT line from Renton to Puyallup. The SR 167 BRT would likely use the suggested direct access ramps to stop at Kent, Auburn, Sumner, and Puyallup without weaving in and out of traffic.

Conclusion

WSDOT continues to build out the HOV network throughout the Puget Sound area. While generally still single occupant car focused, the HOV improvements along with direct access ramps have greatly helped Sound Transit's express bus network. The HOV extensions on I-5 and SR 167 will help freeway express buses travel moderately faster. While the future HOV to toll conversion along I-405 and SR 167 will allow both the future Stride 1 and Stride 2 freeway BRT travel much faster with minimal traffic.