Tolls on the E-470 tollway around the eastern perimeter of the metro area will increase for the first time in three years on Jan. 1, the highway’s board of directors announced today.
The tollway will have two pricing levels, with drivers who pay cash being charged slightly more than drivers who have a transponder in their vehicle.
For vehicles with two axles, the new rate goes up 50 cents, to $2.50 cash at the four main toll plazas; the rate goes to $2.25 for the toll plaza at the south end of the tollway between Peoria Street and Chambers Road.
Two-axled vehicles with transponders will pay 25 cents less at each toll plaza. The E-470 authority explained in a news release that drivers with transponders are required to pay in advance, hence the processing fees are slightly cheaper.
Tolls at the entrance/exit ramps will go up 25 cents, to $1 for two-axled vehicles paying cash and to $0.90 for two-axled vehicles with transponders.
Additional axles will be billed slightly more.
On July 4, drivers will no longer be able to pay with cash. Instead, their license plates will be photographed and a bill will be mailed to the owner of the vehicle. The license-plate toll will remain the same as if the driver paid cash.
One problem the tollway experiences is drivers who cover or hide their plates so they can’t be read by the automatic cameras at each toll booth.
E-470 executive director Dave Kristick said the Department of Revenue is writing up new regulations authorizing a $100 fine and a $33 surcharge for drivers who deliberately hide or cover their plates. It also will cost the vehicle owner 3 points on the owner’s driver’s license.
For vehicles with damaged plates or plates that aren’t displayed correctly, the fine will be $25 with no points, Kristick said.
He said the Department of Revenue also is in the process of establishing a new law that requires that all temporary license tags be displayed in the vehicle’s license-plate holder instead of being taped inside the rear window. This will enable the cameras to read the temporary tags as well.
E-470 extends 47 miles around the eastern edge of the city from Interstate 25 and County Line Road in the south to I-25 and 160th Avenue in the north.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
