Tolls for the first phase of the improved U.S. 36 corridor between Denver and Louisville are average compared with what other states charge to drive on their local roads, state transportation officials said Wednesday as they voted on the rates.
After tabling the vote in March to get more public input, the rates for motorists who want to use the one toll lane on the revamped Boulder Turnpike were set by the High Performance Transportation Enterprise, an arm of the Colorado Department of Transportation. Tolls will begin in July.
At 45 cents per mile at peak morning hours, the U.S. 36 Express Lanes’ rates are lower than California’s $1.40 per mile, Virginia’s $1.25 per mile and Florida’s 75 cents per mile.
Those with an electronic pass for the U.S. 36 toll lane will be charged $7.60 from Interlocken to Denver during morning peak-travel time — between 7:15 and 8:15. Those without a pass will be charged $13.68.
Toll prices will vary during the day to manage congestion, said Megan Castle, spokeswoman for the transportation enterprise.
A breakdown of the rates is available at coloradoHPTE.com.
On Wednesday, officials were reminded that Broomfield and Boulder counties voted in 2004 for a rail system to take commuters from Denver and Boulder.
Cost overruns prompted the Regional Transportation District to delay rail until at least until 2035, so U.S. 36 will be serviced by an enhanced bus system.
“We voted to support mass transit, and you figured out only how to build a bigger, better road,” Boulder resident Julianne McCabe said.
Board members reminded McCabe that the decision to delay rail was made by the RTD.
The second phase of the U.S. 36 project — from Louisville to Boulder — will open in early 2016, and the toll rates for that section have not been announced.
