BROOMFIELD — Some attending a public meeting Tuesday night about the reconstructed U.S. 36 between Boulder and Denver resented the fact the highway will include a “Lexus Lane” that only a well-heeled minority will be able to use.

They were referring to a tolled express lane that will be part of U.S. 36 when it opens this summer. Motorists without an electronic pass will have to pay $13.68 to use the toll lane from Interlocken to Denver. Those with an Express Toll pass would pay $7.60.

Cars with at least two passengers can drive free.

“Why didn’t we add another free lane?” Westminster’s Mark Rawlins asked. “Someone soon will say, ‘Let’s toll the whole road.’ Well, a lot of people don’t have the money to ride on something like that.”

Rawlins was among about 30 people who listened as state transportation officials describe the proposed tolling schedule for the revamped U.S. 36, which will also include newly widened, toll-free, general-purpose lanes.

“What we are offering commuters is a lot of choices,” said Amy Ford, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation. “At the same time, we are also alleviating congestion on that roadway.”

The first phase of the $497 million project, from Federal Boulevard to West 88th Avenue, is scheduled to be finished this summer.

The toll lanes — officially called U.S 36 Express Lanes — will stretch from Pecos Street to Table Mesa Drive.

They will host tolled single-occupant vehicles, high-occupancy vehicles including vans, cars with multiple passengers, and Bus Rapid Transit, which are buses specially built for quick and efficient travel down the turnpike, according to CDOT.