Transportation o cials get stricter about express lane penalties

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Colorado Department of Transportation is getting serious about enforcing penalties for Interstate 70 mountain express lanes, and Idaho Springs is the early focus. Enforcement will focus on the interstate’s Mountain Express Lanes between Idaho Springs and U.S. 40. Soon, though, serious penalties will be a reality everywhere, according to state o cials.

“Starting Friday, July 21, motorists who drive unsafely in the Express Lanes on the I-70 Mountain Corridor will be issued nes known as civil assessment penalties,” a press release stated.

For the past month, drivers have received mailed warnings for violations such as using the Express Lanes when they’re closed, weaving across the solid yellow lines and driving in lanes with oversized vehicles.

As of July 21, the warnings will cease, and drivers will be mailed nes starting at $75 and increasing to $150 if not paid within 20 days of issuance, the statement said. More than 5,000 warnings have already been issued to drivers, according to CDOT.