Tolls start on I-70 Mt. Express Lane Saturday

Tolls will begin Saturday on the I-70 Mountain Express Lane.

The Mountain Express Lane runs for 13 miles from Empire to Idaho Springs on eastbound I-70. There is no Express Lane on westbound I-70.

The Mountain Express Lane is a shoulder lane that is only open to traffic during peak travel times. There is a fee to use the lane, ranging from $3 to $30, depending on traffic volumes.

The new lane opened last weekend. Tolls were waived for the first weekend, during testing. However, users will now be charged to use the lane.

"Last weekend, drivers had the opportunity to use the Express Lane while CDOT completed testing. This weekend, the lane will operate to manage congestion,” said Shailen Bhatt, CDOT Executive Director. “Starting this weekend, CDOT will adjust the Express Lane toll pricing to manage traffic."

Users without an ExpressToll pass will have a bill sent to the address of their license plate registration. Drivers charged via License Plate Toll will pay an additional fee for processing.

All vehicles in the special lane will be charged, that includes carpools, hybrids and motorcycles. Drivers who don't want to pay a toll will have two other lanes to use.

What you need to know about the I-70 Mountain Express Lane:

• There are two entrances and exits -- Enter at Empire Junction or before the Veterans Memorial Twin Tunnels.
• Travelers will be charged the toll price posted when they entered the Express Lane. If the price should increase or decrease while they are in the lane, drivers will pay the price posted upon entry.
• The lane may be closed during inclement weather.
• The same ExpressToll passes (stickers or switchable HOV transponders) used on US 36, E-470, I-25 and Northwest Parkway will work on the I-70 Mountain Express Lane.