Snow Delays I-70 Mountain Express Lane Opening
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Snow that started falling on Friday night delayed Saturday's opening of the I-70 Mountain Express Lane. The express lane may open on Sunday, one day later than planned.
Snow covered up the express lane boundary line on Saturday morning. Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation said the opening was on hold. At 11:25 a.m. CDOT said the lane may open on Sunday.
The I-70 Mountain Express toll lane from Empire through Idaho Springs eastbound was scheduled to open for the first time Saturday morning.
CDOT had planned this weekend as a testing period for the express lane so drivers can use it initially free of charge. Thereafter, drivers will pay a variable fee for each trip.
The I-70 Express Lane operates for 13 miles between the twin Veterans Memorial Tunnels near Idaho Springs and the Empire exit. The lane allows eastbound traffic to use a newly built "shoulder lane" during peak travel periods.
The toll on the 13-mile stretch will vary based on how many cars are slowing down traffic, starting at $3 and increasing all the way to $30.
