HPTE Will Hold March 3 Meeting on I-25 and US 36 Express Lanes Proposed Toll Rates

February 25, 2015 - Denver Metro/CDOT Region 1 - HPTE Board special session to discuss and act on proposed toll and penalty rates.

DENVER -- The High Performance Transportation Enterprise Board (HPTE) announced a special meeting to take action on a proposed toll rate and penalty schedule for the I-25 and US 36 Express Lanes, as well as take public comment. The special Board meeting will be 10  to 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, at the CDOT Headquarters Auditorium, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver.

Plenary Roads Denver (PRD), the concessionaire managing the I-25 and US 36 Express Lanes, is proposing the new rates to provide a reliable travel time for Express Lane drivers and RTD, and to help recover costs from processing License Plate Tolls (LPT) and toll evasion. Also, the proposed rates encourage drivers to use an ExpressToll pass, which will reduce their costs. The HPTE Board will discuss and take action on the following proposed toll and penalty schedule that includes:

  • New toll rates for the existing I-25 Express Lanes, to take effect on Monday, March 16

  • Toll Rates for US 36 Express Lanes Phase 1 (Pecos Street to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior), which will open mid-summer 2015

  • New Civil Penalty to serve as a stronger deterrent against toll evasion.

CDOT encourages drivers to create an ExpressToll account and get a pass to use on the Express Lanes to avoid LPT tolls, which are more expensive. Drivers using an ExpressToll pass will pay less for tolls. The following are a few common peak time examples for I-25 and US 36 Express Lanes:

  • I-25 North Express Lanes, effective Monday, March 16:

    • The new rates for I-25 Express Lanes at peak times will be $4.65 with an ExpressToll pass and $6.98 using LPT

  • When Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes opens in mid-summer 2015, drivers choosing to use an ExpressToll pass will continue to save money on tolls:

    • Southbound morning peak time drivers from Interlocken to Denver will be charged $7.75 with an ExpressToll pass and $13.83 using LPT.

    • Northbound afternoon peak time drivers from Denver to Interlocken will be charged $6.85 compared to $12.53 with LPT.

  • Carpoolers travel for free currently on the I-25 Express Lanes. When Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes open, carpoolers using the I-25 Lanes and US 36 Lanes must have a switchable HOV transponder and the right number of passengers in the car. No later than January 2017, the requirement for carpoolers to use the lanes for free will be HOV3+.

In 2014, HPTE selected PRD as the concessionaire for the US 36 Express Lanes project. This summer, Phase 1 of the project (Pecos Street to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior) will open. Currently, PRD is operating and maintaining the I-25 Express Lanes.

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About the March 3 meeting:

What: HPTE Special Board meeting on proposed toll and penalty schedule

Who: Representatives from HPTE, CDOT and PRD

When: 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 3

Where: CDOT Headquarters, Auditorium, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver

NOTE: Meeting attendees will be able to provide comments.

About Express Lanes: Express Lanes increase roadway capacity and help to manage congestion on the highways. The use of toll pricing during peak travel times reduces delays, manages congestion and maintains reliable travel times. Express Lanes currently span seven miles on I-25, between downtown Denver and US 36, and are being built on I-25 in both directions to 120th Avenue and on US 36 to Boulder. Both Express Lanes corridors are scheduled to open later this year. Additionally, CDOT is planning Express Lanes in major mobility corridors across Colorado including I-70 through east Denver and in the mountains, and C-470 – as a way to effectively manage traffic congestion. For more information, visit expresslanes.codot.gov.

About the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE): The HPTE operates as a government-owned, independent business within CDOT. It searches out innovative ways to finance projects to help Colorado fulfill its commitment to increase travel choices through options that include Express Lanes, transit, biking, walking and carpooling. For more information, visit www.coloraddohpte.com.