After nearly a year oftesting and toll equipment installations, the Westbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane will begin tolling Thursday, July 7, 2022. This lane runs adjacent to the I-70 general purpose lanes from the Veterans Memorial Tunnels near Idaho Springs to Empire. Similar to the Eastbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane that opened in 2015, this 12-mile-long managed lane features traffic management systems to improve mobility and provide westbound I-70 drivers with a reliable, time-saving option during peak travel periods. The lane is open on weekends and holidays only. Motorists should look for the overhead electronic signs that indicate whether or not the lane is open. Using the lane when it’s closed is illegal and drivers are subject to ticketing and fines.
Motorists can expect to invest $9 on Fridays and holidays, and $8 on Saturdays to use the Westbound Mountain Express Lane with an Express Toll Pass. Overhead signs will indicate current toll prices and tolls will be collected through ExpressToll accounts or License Plate Toll. Learn more and make sure to sign up for your ExpressToll account at expresslanes.codot.gov in order to get access to the lowest toll rate. Also, the newly-launched Pegasus shuttle is able to use the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the perks of quicker travel!