Interstate 70 Toll Lane In High Country Open For Test Run
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - The Colorado Department of Transportation is now allowing drivers heading east to Denver on Interstate 70 to try out a new toll express lane for free.
Fees will range from $3 to $30, depending on traffic, once the testing period is over.
After the first day it was open drivers told CBS4's Matt Kroschel they could notice the difference of having the third lane. But some of them are worried giving up that shoulder for another lane leaves drivers with nowhere to go if there is a wreck.
"It's hard to change lanes in some areas as it is depending on the traffic," I-70 traveler Trevin Stadler said.
The extra lane wasn't designed to fix the I-70 traffic problems that have plagued the highway for decades, but it's a start.
"It's a little less busy … we left a little early but the traffic is a lot better," I-70 traveler Eric Whisenhant said.
The toll lane was set to open Saturday but Mother Nature dropped a lot of snow in the area and forced CDOT to delay the opening until Sunday.
The express lane is expected to be open more than 70 days a year during peak travel periods, mostly on weekends and holidays.
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