As Denver becomes one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, problems with traffic are growing and these problems are especially clear on the eastbound corridor of Interstate 70. That said, the Colorado Department of Transportation is taking steps to cure the I-70 traffic blues by creating a single, eastbound toll lane from Empire to Idaho Springs, which is often the most congested part of the corridor with the exception of the infamous Eisenhower Tunnel. The tollroad, known as the Eastbound I-70 Peak Period Shoulder Lane will include a “dynamic” toll rate that increases as traffic in the lane increases.
The cost of the lane can be anywhere between $5 and $30.
This stretch of highway, known for its horrendous traffic, is virtually the only option for Denver weekend warriors traveling to Summit County and Vail. However, is it worth $30 to blast through a 13 mile stretch of road?
CDOT’s Pros For the Eastbound I-70 Peak Period Shoulder Lane
- Dynamic toll pricing keeps traffic moving: prices lower to encourage drivers to use the lane and rise as the lane reaches capacity
- Reduces travel time by nearly half from the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels to the top of Floyd Hill, resulting in an average 30-minute time savings
- Provides drivers with the choice of a new more reliable travel lane
- Avoids overbuilding I-70, by using the shoulder as a third lane, during peak hours
- Enhances recent Twin Tunnels (Veterans Memorial Tunnels) improvements
- Allows for faster speeds in all lanes, thus decreasing overall travel time
Find out more about the new toll lane from the CDOT’s project page website: Eastbound I-70 Peak Period Shoulder Lane