expresslanes.codot.govExpress Lanes — Colorado Department of Transportation

Toggle navigation Menu Home Travel Center News Safety Performance Business Center Programs & Projects About CDOT Library A-Z A-Z A Annual Reports K KForms Search Programs You are here: Home Programs Express Lanes Express Lanes https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png Express Lanes Express Lanes https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/express-lanes https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png Express Lanes Improving roadways is critical to meeting the transportation needs of Colorado, one of the top five fastest-growing states in the country. Using Express Lanes is easy and provides travelers more reliable, predictable travel times. Travelers are never forced to pay a toll. To use any Colorado Express Lanes, you will need an ExpressToll account and pass to avoid a higher toll. The Switchable HOV Transponder is the only pass that allows you to choose the carpool option. Express Lanes Safety Tips Speed limits apply to the Express Lanes as well as the general purpose lanes. Motorists should not exceed the posted speed limits when using the Express Lanes. Express Lanes should be entered and exited through the dashed line only. Weaving in and out of the Express Lanes and crossing the double white line could result in a violation and up to $1,000 fine. Express Lanes should NEVER be used as a passing lane. Express Lanes are offered next to the free general purpose lanes to provide drivers with a choice and an option of reliable travel time, but it’s not safe to use Express Lanes as a passing lane. While it might be tempting to use the Switchable HOV Transponder to avoid paying tolls, it is important to remember there is enforcement on the roadway. Our local law enforcement officers are out on the corridors; violations could cost up to $250. WHERE EXPRESS LANES ARE, AND WHERE THEY'LL BE EXPRESS LANES TESTIMONIALS "It is so exciting to see the major components of this project on my daily commute... ." — Debra Baskett Read Debra's story. "Although I was initially skeptical about the benefits of the US 36 Express Lanes project, I have been amazed at how this project has transformed our region." — Frank Bruno Read Frank's story. "Now that I can use the whole stretch of the Express Lanes, I save over 40 minutes per day! I love the Express Lanes!" — Meg Collins Read Meg's story. QUESTIONS/ALERTS Do you have questions about your ExpressToll account? Please call ExpressToll Customer Service at 303-537-3470, or 1-888-946-3470. For information about Plenary Roads Denver, please visit Plenaryroadsdenver.com Subscribe to never miss an Express Lanes update. SUBSCRIBE VIDEOS The stats are in: Express Lanes are moving people faster in peak travel times. See the numbers. MORE VIDEOS RESOURCES How to Use Get a Pass Videos Express Lanes News Toll Rate Info NEWS MORE Facts https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/facts https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png Facts Read More… HOV 3 https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/hov-3 https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png HOV 3 Read More… What are Express Lanes? https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/why-express-lanes https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png What are Express Lanes? Express Lanes increase roadway capacity and help manage congestion on the highways. Rather than continuing to build lanes on congested highways, Express Lanes offer choice by allowing drivers to ride the bus, carpool, or pay a toll and use as a solo driver as an alternative to the free general-purpose lanes. Express Lanes are built in addition to any existing general-purpose lanes, providing drivers the choice of a new, optional lane. Toll prices are set to manage traffic and have just the right amount of vehicles in the lane to provide a reliable, shorter travel time. On some Express Lanes, tolls can change in price depending on the level of congestion. As traffic increases, the toll price goes up to make sure the lane remains a free-flowing alternative for travelers at all times. Conversely, the toll price will decrease when there is less traffic in the lane. Drivers will always be charged the amount on the overhead signage when they enter the Express Lane. Express Lanes work to move more people rather than move more cars. By presenting choices, Express Lanes will reduce delays, manage congestion and keep travel times reliable for motorists. Get a Pass https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/get-a-pass https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png Get a Pass To use any Colorado Express Lanes, you will need an ExpressToll account and pass to save money and not pay the License Plate Toll. The Switchable HOV Transponder is the only pass that allows you to choose the carpool option and use the lanes for free. . The Switchable HOV Transponder price is increasing to $18 starting June 5, 2019, due to the change in the way sales tax is calculated in Colorado. This price covers the cost of the device and the cost of shipping to you when you order one. The $18 is deducted from the $35 required to set up a new ExpressToll account, leaving a balance of $17 to be used on tolls. If you currently have an ExpressToll account, the $18 will be charged to your current account. People who plan to only carpool in the lane (HOV purists) can get a transponder for free. Remember: If you choose not to use a pass, you will be billed through a License Plate Toll. A bill will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle and you will pay a higher rate based on how far you travel in the Express Lane. You can go online to set up an ExpressToll account and get a pass . Passes are now available. Express Lanes on I-70 West in the mountains and C-470 will not include a "free" policy for HOV vehicles given that a majority of vehicles traveling in the corridor typically have more than one passenger. Using the Lanes https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/using-the-lanes https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png Using the Lanes Anyone can use Express Lanes; there are simply different ways to travel them. A traveler can choose to travel: Details X For free as a carpooler (a driver with two or more passengers) Call ExpressToll at 303-537-3470 to get a Switchable HOV Transponder if you are planning to carpool. Close Details X For free with a motorcycle No pass is required on US 36 and I-25 to use the Express Lanes for free, where there is free HOV/carpooling allowed. Close Details X Transit Use either priority buses or Bus Rapid Transit. Close Details X By paying a toll Pay a toll, either as a solo driver, or a driver and one passenger. Close Details X By paying a toll on a motorcycle Paying a toll, motorcycles can use Express Lanes where carpooling is not allowed. A pass and ExpressToll account are required to avoid higher tolls. Close Travelers are never forced to pay a toll and can always choose to travel in the adjacent free general-purpose lanes. The Express Lanes are easy to use. For carpooling , go online to order your Switchable HOV Transponder and find two friends, family members or coworkers to join you on your trip. Once you have three or more people in your car, slide the tab on your transponder to the red "HOV" mode, and you can use the Express Lanes for free. If you plan to travel with fewer than three people , paying a toll won't slow you down. You can use either a Switchable HOV Transponder or your current ExpressToll Transponder or sticker pass. Simply switch your transponder to the green "TOLL" mode, enter the lane in the designated area, and you are on your way. If you choose not to use the transponder , you will be billed through a License Plate Toll. A bill will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle and you will pay a higher toll rate based on how far you travel in the Express Lane. * The I-70 Mountain Express Lane and C-470 Express Lanes do not include a "free" policy. Pricing Express Lanes use tolls to manage congestion and keep travel times reliable for a...