CDOT Claims I-70 Mountain Express Lane Success
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- The Colorado Department of Transportation says the Interstate 70 Mountain Express Lane was a success during the first holiday weekend.
CDOT says between Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 there were no major traffic delays with more than 140,000 passengers passing through the mountain corridor.
The Express Lane allowed travel speeds to remain free-flowing even during the highest overall hourly traffic count set at noon Jan. 2 with 4,789 cars traveling both directions on I-70.
Drivers pay $3 to use the express toll lane but the toll could rise to $10, $15 and some days even $30 depending on traffic volume.
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.