The Washington State Department of Transportation is asking residents and drivers to share their thoughts about the possibility of adding an additional lane on Interstate 405 that, combined with the existing HOV lane, could operate as two express toll lanes.

The open houses on the additional lane are scheduled for Nov. 3 and Nov. 5. between 4 and 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 3, Kent-Meridian High School, 10020 S.E. 256th St., Kent.
• Thursday, Nov. 5, at Kirkland City Hall (Peter Kirk Room), 123 Fifth Ave. Kirkland.

The Washington State Legislature directed the transportation department in the 2009 transportation budget to engage local jurisdictions and the public in work sessions around the possibility of implementing tolled express lanes as part of future I-405 and SR 167 improvements.

As part of the ongoing Eastside Corridor Tolling Study, WSDOT will host two open houses for residents and drivers to give input, and learn about what we have heard from earlier public outreach efforts.

Project engineers will be on hand to answer questions, provide study information and discuss future traffic improvements in the corridor. All comments received will be included in the final study report being submitted to the Governor and Legislature in January 2010.

The I-405 express toll lanes would connect with SR 167 HOT Lanes, creating a seamless “expressway within a freeway.” Carpools, vanpools and transit would be able to count on a more reliable toll-free trip, while solo drivers could choose to buy into the newly-expanded express toll lane system.