The Washington State Department of Transportation has broken ground on a $19.3 million project to add a new northbound lane on I-405 between NE 195th Street and State Route 527 in Canyon Park.

It is hoped the new lane will increase travel speeds for all drivers during the afternoon commute.

This week WSDOT opened a new 1.5 mile southbound lane on SR 167 between I-405 and SW 41st Street, in Renton, giving drivers three general purpose lanes and one HOT lane to use during the afternoon commute.

The project was funded by the 2003 and the 2005 gas tax increases.