Drivers from southwest Washington who commute north toward Pierce and King counties saw a notable change earlier this month: the northbound HOV lane on State Route 167 between Sumner and Pacific has been converted into an express toll lane.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said tolling on that six-mile stretch began Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, extending the SR 167 express toll lane corridor farther south. The agency previously planned to make the change in October 2025 but delayed it while crews repaired damage to the SR 167 bridge over Third Avenue Southwest in Pacific.

For Cowlitz County residents who regularly head toward Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Renton, or job sites across the Puget Sound region, the change matters because the “HOV” lane now functions as a managed lane: you can use it either by qualifying for toll-free HOV access (with the right equipment and occupancy) or by paying a toll.

What changed on SR 167 near Sumner

According to WSDOT, the six-mile northbound HOV lane between SR 410 in Sumner and Ellingson Road in Pacific is now an express toll lane intended to match rules used elsewhere on SR 167 and on I-405’s express toll lanes.

WSDOT’s announcement: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2026/tolling-northbound-sr-167-hov-lane-sumner-begins-jan-12

How to use the lane without paying

WSDOT says drivers who want to use the express toll lanes for free as carpoolers must have:

  • a Good To Go! account,
  • a Flex Pass installed in the vehicle and set to HOV mode, and
  • at least one passenger (in addition to the driver).

WSDOT also says motorcyclists must have a Good To Go! account and a Good To Go! motorcycle pass to use the lane toll-free.

General information on tolling and Good To Go!: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/toll-roads-bridges-tunnels

What happens if you don’t have Good To Go!

WSDOT says drivers can still use the express toll lane without a Good To Go! account, but they should expect to be billed afterward through Pay By Mail.

Under WSDOT’s rules, Pay By Mail costs $2 more per trip than Good To Go! rates, and the higher rate applies regardless of how many people are in the vehicle.

How toll prices work

WSDOT’s prior SR 167 tolling changes (rolled out in October 2025) set tolls to vary with real-time traffic, with posted rates for account holders generally ranging from $1 to $15. WSDOT also shifted SR 167 to “destination pricing,” meaning drivers are charged based on where they enter and exit the express toll lanes.

Background on the October 2025 SR 167 tolling rules: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2025/new-rules-sr-167-toll-lanes-begin-oct-20

Why this matters for Cowlitz County

Even though the newly tolled segment is in Pierce County, it sits on a common commuting route for people traveling between the Longview-Kelso area and the Tacoma–Seattle job market. The change effectively turns a previously “HOV-only” lane into a lane where solo drivers can buy their way in—while carpools need specific equipment to avoid being charged.

For working families, that adds a practical choice to the commute: spend money to save time, or remain in general-purpose lanes. It also adds a paperwork/tech requirement to keep a carpool benefit: if you carpool but don’t have the right pass set correctly, you may still be billed.

What to do before your next trip

  • If you carpool and intend to ride toll-free, confirm you have a Good To Go! account and the correct Flex Pass setup before entering SR 167.
  • If you’re a motorcycle rider, confirm you have the motorcycle pass tied to your account.
  • Watch lane striping and signage: WSDOT uses dashed/double-white lines to signal where entering/exiting is allowed, and crossing double lines is illegal.

Good To Go! account information: https://mygoodtogo.com

Conclusion

The Jan. 12, 2026 conversion of the northbound SR 167 HOV lane between Sumner and Pacific into an express toll lane is a real change with real costs—and it’s likely to be felt by southwest Washington commuters who rely on SR 167 to reach jobs and appointments in the central Puget Sound region. As tolling expands, the region’s transportation system continues to tilt toward pay-to-save-time commuting, making it even more important for drivers to understand the rules before their next trip.