Why can’t solo drivers use the direct access ramps?
The main reasons for the construction of direct access ramps are to improve safety, reduce congestion, save time, and increase travel time reliability for both HOVs and general purpose traffic. This is part of the voter-approved Sound Transit program to improve regional mobility for transit and HOV users. It is not possible for WSDOT to allow non-HOV traffic on the direct access ramps at any time. The restrictions on these ramps are not arbitrary. Under the Agreement for Operation and Use of Sound Transit Funded HOV and Direct Access Facilities Memorandums of Understanding (1997 and 2005), Sound Transit contributed a substantial amount of money towards the construction of HOV direct access facilities in exchange for the right to build them on WSDOT property. In return, WSDOT agreed to specified terms of use, which limit direct access ramps to HOV-only use.
