The Colorado Tolling Enterprise, a new authority created to plan toll roads in the state, is considering its first project - the conversion of several lanes of a six-mile stretch of Interstate 25 from free lanes to toll lanes.
Although bonds could be issued to cover the cost of the conversion, the agency has not finalized the cost of the project, and it could be financed with any combination of debt, cash, and federal money. Officials estimate the plan would cost between $5 million and $10 million.
Meanwhile, the state is conducting a study to determine other existing highways that could be converted to a combination of toll high-occupancy traffic lanes and free lanes. New toll roads are also a possibility under the legislation approved by lawmakers in 1999 that is expected to at least partially answer the state's estimated $40 billion of highway needs in the next 25 years.
Under the possible pilot program on I-25, highway lanes would continue to exist as they are now. However, some lanes would be designated toll lanes, with possible separate fees for peak traffic times.
The proposed toll now is about $2.75. The money would be used to repay the cost of electronic monitors and other tolling needs, and after those projects are paid off, could fund maintenance and other transportation needs.
