I-405 Bus Shoulder Driving May Start Thursday, October 8

On the heels of the new express toll lanes opening on a 17-mile stretch of I-405, commuters can expect to see Community Transit and Sound Transit buses driving on the southbound I-405 right hand shoulder starting tomorrow, October 8.

The Transit Only right-hand shoulder lane is part of the I-405 Express Toll Lanes project and the result of a partnership between Community Transit, King County Metro Transit, Sound Transit and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The 13-foot wide Transit Only shoulder lane is located on two specific stretches of southbound I-405:

• Between Highway 527 (Canyon Park exit) and NE 195th Street; and
• Between Highway 522 and NE 160th Street

Here is a preview of what the bus shoulder driving will look like-- this is actual footage of our drivers in training yesterday afternoon:

Bus shoulder operations are common in other states such as Minnesota and Ohio. Community Transit has entered into an agreement with WSDOT for I-405 shoulder operations in  2010. Community Transit operates Sound Transit express buses in Snohomish County.

Rules of the Road

Just as there are rules for using the express lanes, so too are there rules for buses driving on the shoulder:

• Buses will use the shoulder lane only during the weekday morning commute (6-9 a.m.)
• Buses will use the shoulder lane only when regular traffic is running substantially slower than posted speeds.
• Buses will flash their hazard lights when operating on the shoulder to alert other vehicles.
• When traffic is running at or close to posted speeds, buses will use the right-hand general purpose traffic lane.
• If there is a stalled vehicle or another obstruction blocking the shoulder lane, buses will use the right-hand general purpose lane.

For more information about I-405 shoulder lane operations, visit  www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/405/BusShoulderLanes.htm.