The Colorado Department of Transportation and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise have approved the toll rates for the newly constructed eastbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane. Here's what you need to know: 

(Q) What is the I-70 Mountain Express Lane?

• The I-70 Mountain Express Lane runs 13 miles eastbound from Empire through the Veterans Memorial Tunnels in Idaho Springs and only during periods of peak travel, such as weekends and holidays.
• Limited to operate 72 days/year to address heavy traffic in the corridor. Heavy traffic is usually Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, but the Mountain Express Lane is not precluded from opening on other days when there is heavy traffic.
• There is no HOV component to the I-70 Mountain Express Lane, meaning any vehicle traveling in the lane will be subject to a toll regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle.

(Q) How are tolls collected?

• All tolls are collected electronically through an ExpressToll account and pass, or through a License Plate Toll (LPT).
• Drivers who choose to pay through a LPT will pay the toll plus a surcharge to process the license plate. A bill will be sent to the registered vehicle owner and it will be higher than if you have an ExpressToll account.

(Q) How are toll prices determined?

• Express Lanes will use a responsive pricing system in which tolls can change in price depending on the number of vehicles traveling in the corridor.
• As traffic increases, the toll price will increase to help keep travelers moving on the Express Lanes.
• Overhead Variable Message Signs are updated on the highway in real-time and show exactly what the toll rate is at that time, so the driver can know exactly how much they’ll be charged.

(Q) What are the proposed toll rates on the I-70 Mountain Express Lane? 

• The base toll rate for travelers with an ExpressToll pass is $3. 
• At typical traffic volumes, the rates for the express lane will range from $8 to $10. 
• At high traffic volumes, the rates for the express lane will range from $10 to $15. 
• Drivers using the License Plate Tolling (LPT), not the ExpressToll pass, will pay the toll plus an additional fee to cover the increased costs of processing the transaction.  

Check out CDOT's I-70 Mountain Express Lane tolling fact sheet for more information.