Drivers can test new U.S. Highway 36 express lanes for free

LOUISVILLE — A new 11-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 36 express lanes between Louisville and Federal Boulevard is fully open, and drivers can use the lanes at no cost while the Colorado Department of Transportation tests its tolling systems.

The eastbound express lanes opened to traffic Thursday morning, a CDOT spokeswoman said, while the westbound side opened earlier this week.

The free testing period is expected to last until mid-July. Tolls on the existing express lanes, from Pecos Street on U.S. 36 to downtown Denver along Interstate 25, are still in effect.

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“This testing period will be used to ensure that the toll-collection system is working properly for every type of vehicle allowed to use the lanes,” said Mike Cheroutes, director of the High Performance Transportation Enterprise, a government-owned independent business within CDOT. “Commuters should use this testing period as an opportunity to try the new express lanes, experience the new permanent pavement and configuration of the highway and to determine if the use of these lanes is an optimal choice based on personal needs.”

Technicians will be testing transponder and license-plate recognition electronics as well as billing systems. During the testing period, any type of vehicle can use the lanes, CDOT said, but a 55-miles-per-hour speed limit will be in force because the stretch still is considered part of a construction zone.

After the testing period ends, tolled riders will need an ExpressToll account and pass, or they can choose to pay via license-plate recognition, which carries a surcharge. Carpoolers and motorcyclists will be able to use the lanes for free, but only if they have a new switchable high-occupancy vehicle transponder and ExpressToll account. The current standard for a high-occupancy vehicle is two occupants, but three occupants will be required to waive the toll by 2017.