Dunn Calls for Southbound I-5 Express Lane Access to Ease Severe Commute Delays

January 16, 2026

King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn urged the Washington State Department of Transportation today to reconsider their recent I-5 express lane changes tied to construction on the Ship Canal Bridge, citing the severe impacts on southbound commuters. Dunn sent the attached letter to Secretary Julie Meredith earlier today.

Since the operational changes were implemented to accommodate northbound traffic, southbound travel times have ballooned to more than 90 minutes from Lynnwood to Seattle, disrupting access to jobs, medical appointments, the airport, and freight movement critical to the regional economy. 

“These impacts to southbound I-5 traffic have created debilitating conditions,” Dunn said. “This is simply an untenable and unacceptable new norm for commuters.” 

In the letter, Dunn requested that WSDOT explore reopening the I-5 express lanes to southbound traffic for a portion of the morning commute, stating, “I am requesting that your department explore the option of reopening the express lanes to southbound traffic for a portion of the morning commute as outlined in today’s Seattle Times article. Even if express lanes were opened to southbound only in early morning hours, there remains a real possibility that commuters may be able to more realistically change behavior and help the flow of traffic throughout the region while this critical work is completed.”

Dunn says he looks forward to working with WSDOT to identify solutions that reduce the extreme burden currently placed on southbound commuters.