Local elected officials and transportation agency representatives from the Interstate 405 and State Route 167 corridor will reconvene as the Executive Advisory Group on Thursday. The group will meet with Washington Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson to discuss future master planning efforts in the region and expectations for the new I-405 express toll lanes.

“Since 1999, city and county elected officials, business and agency leaders and residents in this corridor have worked together to meet the challenges of moving people, goods and services in one of our region’s most congested — and fastest growing — corridors,” said Peterson. “After 15 years of work with our partners, drivers on I-405 will finally have a choice for a reliable trip between Bellevue and Lynnwood when express toll lanes open this fall.”

The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E. Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide brief comments.

Representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will provide executive group members with an update on progress toward completing the I-405 Master Plan as well as information about the launch of the Bellevue to Lynnwood express toll lanes.

WSDOT is building a new lane adjacent to the carpool lane between Northeast Sixth Street in Bellevue and State Route 522 in Bothell to create a dual, express-toll-lane system, while converting the existing carpool lane between Bothell and Lynnwood into a single, express toll lane.

When the project is complete in 2015, drivers will have the option to pay a toll for a faster, more reliable trip using a 17-mile system of express toll lanes from Bellevue to Lynnwood. Tolls can be paid with any existing Good To Go! pass or by mail at a higher rate.

Carpools meeting occupancy requirements, transit, vanpools and motorcycles will be able to use the lanes toll-free with a Good To Go! Flex Pass.