CDOT, HPTE and Plenary Roads Denver Highlight First Month of US 36 Express Lanes
DENVER - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) and Plenary Roads Denver (PRD) today announced initial highlights of Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes and I-25 Express Lanes.
Since tolling began on July 22, commuters are embracing the traveling choices US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes offer. CDOT, HPTE and PRD are tracking initial results, which are in line with expectations, including:
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38,637 switchable HOV transponders distributed to date
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Bus speeds are meeting contractual obligations for travel times in the Express Lanes, helping to get riders where they need to go more efficiently
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Cyclists are actively using Phase 1’s 11-mile bikeway from Turnpike Drive in Westminster to 88th Street in Louisville
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Number of HOV user transactions is 278,411 and the number of transactions by toll users is 947,219
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97 percent of the monthly bills US 36 license plate toll bills were under $15, and 89 percent of the monthly I-25 license plate toll bills were under $15
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Ongoing monitoring of drivers continues to ensure minimal illegal crossing over double solid white line separating Express Lanes and free general purpose lanes
“With Phase 1 of this project complete, we can already see the value for commuters in the number of people who are purchasing transponders and using the various other transportation options offered by the US 36 Express Lanes,” said Terry Ostrom, senior vice president, PRD. “We will continue to monitor traffic patterns to ensure users along the US 36 corridor have efficient and reliable travel options as we look toward the completion of Phase 2 in early 2016.”
“We are glad to see commuters from carpoolers, bicyclists, bus riders and solo riders use the traveling options in the US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes,” said Michael Cheroutes, HPTE Director. “By partnering with PRD, CDOT was able to deliver these critical mobility choices to this growing corridor, allowing it to meet the transportation needs of today and into the future.”
CDOT, HPTE and PRD will host a telephone town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to provide information on the proposed toll rates for special events and the second phase of the US 36 Express Lanes, from 88th Street in Louisville/Superior to Table Mesa/Foothills Parkway, which will open in early 2016. The public can participate by calling 1-877-229-8493 and using the PIN: 112034.
The US 36 Express Lanes Project is a multi-modal, public-private partnership led by CDOT, HPTE, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and PRD. HPTE’s focus is to pursue public-private partnerships and other innovative and efficient means of completing surface transportation infrastructure projects. The project includes two free general purpose lanes in each direction, one tolled Express Lane in each direction, and a bikeway along the US 36 corridor – offering users the valuable choice to ride the bus, carpool or bike.
Phase 2 of US 36, from 88th Street in Louisville/Superior to Table Mesa in Boulder, is still under construction and will be open in early 2016. Phase 2 includes the same features as Phase 1 and, in addition, improvements to three bridges, the completion of the bikeway into Boulder and a Diverging Diamond Interchange on the McCaslin bridge.
CDOT Background
For more information, visit www.codot.gov/projects/
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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. 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.coloradohpte.com.
About Plenary Roads Denver:
Plenary Roads Denver (PRD) is a Denver-based consortium of industry leading firms established to efficiently deliver improvements to the US 36 corridor. By creating a team of experts from each part of the infrastructure industry, PRD is able to ensure an integrated roadway, bus rapid transit system, and bikeway that serve the needs of all residents. PRD ‘s team consists of Ames Construction, Granite Construction, HDR and Transfield Services, and is led by Plenary Group, an investor, developer and operator of public infrastructure projects in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Plenary Group’s U.S. headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California, with an additional office in Denver, Colorado.
For more information on the US 36 Express Lanes project, visit www.us36expresslanes.com and on Plenary Roads Denver, visit www.codot.gov/projects/
