CSP Increases Safety Enforcement on US 36 & I-25 Express Lanes

DENVER—The Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Plenary Roads Denver (PRD), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) announced increased safety enforcement along the US 36 and I-25 Express Lane corridors. Since July, state troopers issued nearly 900 traffic violations, from speeding to failure to pay tolls to unsafely crossing in and out of the Express Lanes.

"It may be tempting to cross over the solid line into an Express Lane, but the Colorado State Patrol wants to remind all drivers to obey traffic rules and speeds. Let's work together to keep everyone safe and everyone arriving alive whether they are going home, to work or to play," said CSP Capt. Matthew Secor.

The troopers are actively patrolling along the US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes to create a safer driving environment and reduce unsafe driving behaviors by taking appropriate enforcement action when drivers violate traffic rules.

The new partnership between PRD and the CSP calls for troopers to provide 4,000 hours of law enforcement patrolling services annually. CSP is one of six law enforcement agencies patrolling this section of US 36 and I-25. In addition to CSP, other agencies include Adams, Boulder and Broomfield counties, and the Westminster and Broomfield city police departments.

"The additional enforcement is the result of feedback received from customers as well as from local governments along the corridor. We want to ensure that all drivers use safe behavior and arrive safely at their destinations," said David Spector, director of the High Performance Transportation Enterprise, which oversees the US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes public-private partnership project.

Comparing CSP traffic violation numbers from July to August, fewer overall citations were issued. There was a dramatic drop in violations for failure to pay tolls, and careless or reckless driving, which could include weaving in and out of the Express Lanes and crossing the solid lines, and can yield a $150 to $1,000 fine, and points off a driver's license.

"PRD is committed to providing safe, reliable travel times along the corridors, and this added deterrent will help us maintain that goal,” said Christian Guevara, PRD's US 36 operations manager. "PRD will work with CSP to review how the increased enforcement is improving safety through visual deterrents and fewer citations for violating safety rules."

The US 36 Express Lanes public-private partnership allows for greater private sector participation in the delivery, financing and maintenance of the US 36 Express Lanes project, and provides efficient and multiple travel options to the thousands of people who rely on the US 36 corridor every day. Commuters can ride the bus, carpool, pay a toll, bike or use the existing free, general purpose lanes. By offering these great choices, the US 36 Express Lanes minimize congestion, reduce delays and keep travel time in the Express Lanes reliable.