Office of Operations
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies
Next Page >>
Table of Contents
<< Previous Page

National Road Pricing Conference

Case Studies
Denver, Colorado — I-25 HOV Express Lanes

"I-25 HOV Express Lanes" – I-25, Denver, CO, HOT Lanes Project

Logo. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Project Description

The I-25 Bus/HOV lanes, also known as Downtown Express lanes, consists of a two-lane barrier-separated reversible facility in the median of I-25 between downtown Denver and 70th Avenue, a distance of 6.6 miles.

Pricing Parameters

  • Fixed time-of-day pricing
  • Operates:
    • Southbound 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
    • Northbound 5:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • Toll free for:
    • HOV 2+ carpools
    • Transit buses
    • Emergency vehicles
    • Motorcycles
    • Hybrid vehicles with permit, program expired December 2009 but may be extended
  • Toll Rate - $0.50 to $4.50

Unique Features

  • In January 2009 the "License Plate Toll" program was implemented so transponders are no longer required
  • Carpools are separated from SOVs at tolling point

Project Support

41 percent of users utilized the lanes 16 or more days per month. 22 percent used the lanes at least 21 days per month. 62 percent of survey respondents say they use the express lanes because it saves time. 18 percent say they use the lanes because it is less stressful than the regular lanes.

Project Website

http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/tolling/i-25-hov-express-lanes

Photo. Overhead signs identifying 'Toll Lane Only' and 'HOV 2+ Only' lanes in Denver, Colorado. Photo. Overhead signs identifying 'Toll Lane Only' and 'HOV 2+ Only' lanes and vehciles using the lanes in Denver, Colorado. Photo. Overhead signs identifying 'Toll Lane Only' and 'HOV 2+ Only' lanes and vehciles using the lanes in Denver, Colorado.

Project Goals

The goal of the I-25 Express Lanes is to make better use of an underutilized HOV lane without degrading service for carpoolers and transit.

Project Length

9 miles

Number of HOT lanes

2-lane reversible

Midpoint Access

No midpoint access

Lane Separation

Concrete barrier

Daily Traffic

11,803 (July 2009)

Capital Costs

Approximately $10 million

Operating Costs

Approximately $2.4 million, annually

Revenue

Approximately $5.4 million annually, including fines and fees

Project Contact

Reza Akhavan
Colorado Department of Transportation
Reza.akhavan.@dot.state.co.us
(303) 757-9459

Jane Hann
Colorado Department of Transportation
jane.hann@dot.state.co.us
(303) 757-9397

Version 1 8/23/10
HOT0901.0410.20

Office of Operations