Toll Rates For U.S. 36 Express Lanes .45 Per Mile During Peak
DENVER (CBS4)- The toll rate for the U.S. 36 Express Lanes have been set at $0.45 per mile at peak hours.
The toll rate will go into effect this summer for the project between Federal Boulevard to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior.
The toll rate was approved after public input conducted at town meetings in April.
"We look forward to the completion of the first phase of US 36 Express Lanes Project this summer and providing travelers in this corridor with a greater number of mobility choices," said Tim Gagen, Chair of the High Performance Transportation Enterprise Board of Directors in a statement. "The approved toll rates are priced to ensure reliable travel times for drivers and RTD and to manage congestion in the Express Lanes. We encourage all driver to set up an ExpressToll account and get a pass to save money on tolls or to use the free carpool option."
The express lanes on U.S. 36 are currently open for the public to use during a testing phase of the tolling equipment. Drivers in the express lanes will begin paying the toll in July and will be an option for drivers to use either by paying a toll, using for free as a carpooler or as a rider on RTD's Bus Rapid Transit.
Toll prices vary by different times of the day to manage congestion. There are also two free general purpose lanes in each direction.
Additional Information from Express Lanes and HPTE:
For example, when Phase 1 opens, eastbound solo drivers with an ExpressToll pass traveling from 88th Street to downtown Denver will be charged $7.60 during the weekday morning peak time of 7:15– 8:15 a.m. The toll rates for the same trip drop to $1.25 in off-peak weekday hours between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and all day on weekends. The toll rates are available online at www.coloradoHPTE.com. When tolling begins, electronic message signs on US 36 will clearly display the current toll price prior to Express Lane entrance points, so motorists will know toll prices in real-time.
CDOT encourages all drivers to get a pass. Motorists with an ExpressToll account and pass will be charged automatically for the toll or be free as a carpooler, using the switchable transponder pass. Motorists choosing to travel without a pass, using License Plate Tolling, will pay the toll plus fees. The fees and increased cost reflects the added cost of tracking and looking up vehicle license plate numbers, and collecting the toll by sending a bill. Get a pass by creating an ExpressToll account at www.ExpressToll.com, or call the ExpressToll service center at (303) 537-3470.
The improvements to US 36 will be operated and maintained through a public-private partnership with Plenary Roads Denver, who currently operates the reversible lane portions of Interstate 25 Express Lanes from downtown Denver, as well as Phase I of US 36. Plenary Roads Denver will also operate and maintain the US 36 Phase 2 Express Lanes upon completion in early 2016.
