DENVER, CO – Drivers have two days until tolling begins on the US 36 Express Lanes and carpool requirements change on I-25 Express Lanes. On July 22, toll collection on Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes will begin, and both of the current I-25 Express Lanes into downtown Denver will be open for tolled and HOV drivers, so carpoolers on both highways will need to get the new, switchable pass to travel for free.

Led by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE), Phase 1 of the US 36 Express Lanes Project, from Federal Boulevard to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior, has been open for almost a month. Toll collection has been waived for drivers using the Express Lane so the tolling equipment could be tested.

All drivers are encouraged to get an ExpressToll account and pass as soon as they can to use the express lanes. For carpoolers, the new switchable pass is the only device that will allow them to travel in the lanes for free, and for single drivers, the pass saves them money by not having to pay a license plate surcharge. Single drivers that already have a pass, can keep their current passes. Motorcycle drivers will also need an account and pass to use the lanes for free.

“Our testing time is coming to an end, so drivers will see the changes on the US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes this week,” said HPTE Director Michael Cheroutes. “Express Lanes are a choice for drivers, who can use them or the free general purpose lanes. If drivers choose the Express Lanes, we want them to have a pass, to save money on tolls.”

To get a pass, go to expresslanes.codot.gov or expresstoll.com. You will receive the pass in three to five business days or you can pick it up in person at ExpressToll Service Center, 22470 E. 6th Parkway, Suite 110, Aurora.

The toll rates for the Express Lanes change depending upon the time of day and are posted on overhead signage. Drivers can only enter and exit the Express Lanes along US 36 by crossing the dotted white lines and should not cross the double white line, which separates the Express Lanes from two free general purpose lanes.

The US 36 Express Lanes Project is a multi-modal project that is building an express lane in each direction on US 36, in addition to the two free general purpose lanes. The Express Lanes accommodate High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and tolled vehicles. In addition, the project is replacing several bridges, building a commuter bikeway, adding BRT improvements, and installing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for tolling, transit and traveler information, and incident management. Phase 1, from Federal Boulevard to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior, is open. Phase 2, from 88th Street to Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, will open in 2016.

For more information, visit www.codot.gov/programs/ expresslanes, www.codot.gov/projects/ US36ExpressLanes or our mobile website at m.us36expresslanes.com. To receive free email updates during the project, click on the cell phone icon in the upper right corner. You can then subscribe to a variety of lists including “US 36 Express Lanes Project.”