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May 20, 2015
CONTACTS: Megan Castle HPTE Communications Manager
(303) 513-2713 c / [email protected]
Toll Rates for US 36 Express Lanes set in advance of summer
opening
CDOT’s High Performance Transportation Enterprise Approves Toll Rates for Phase 1
of Project; Encourages Drivers to Get a Pass
DENVER -- The High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) today approved
the toll rate schedule for Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes Project between Federal
Boulevard to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior. The rates will go into effect this
summer upon the commencement of tolling services, which will be managed and
operated by CDOT’s partner on US 36, Plenary Roads Denver.
“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 HPTE Board of Directors. “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.”
At $0.45 per mile at peak morning hours, US 36 Express Lanes’ toll rates are average
among other toll roads and tolled express lanes nationally, and stand lower than rates
in states such as California ($1.40 per mile), Florida ($0.75 per mile) and Virginia
($1.25 per mile).
The HPTE Board’s approval of the toll rates follows public outreach conducted in April
in communities along the US 36 corridor, which was highlighted by an April 16
telephone town hall with more than 5,000 participants, and a town hall meeting on
April 24 at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield attended by 24 area residents. At both
events, representatives from HPTE, CDOT and Plenary Roads Denver provided
information on how to use the US 36 Express Lanes, answered questions, and took
public comment on the proposed toll rates. Information from these events and
responses to public comments and questions are available at www.coloradoHPTE.com.
Public outreach on the proposed toll rates continues CDOT and HPTE’s expanded
transparency and public participation efforts. Additionally, CDOT has a public
education campaign using grassroots, earned and paid media outreach to
communicate the variety of ways to use the Express Lanes including information on
the tolls for the corridors. Over the next year, Express Lanes will open on I-70 West in
the mountains between Empire and Idaho Springs; North I-25 to 120th Avenue; and
Phase 2 of the US 36 Express Lanes from 88th Street in Louisville/Superior to Table
Mesa/Foothills Parkway in Boulder.
The Express Lanes on US 36 are currently open for the public to use during a testing
phase of the tolling equipment. The Express Lanes will begin tolling 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. The two free general purpose lanes in each
direction are also always available for drivers. Toll prices vary by different times of
day to manage congestion and ensure a reliable travel time in the Express Lanes.
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.
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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 additional offices in Denver, Colorado.