Board approves $1M budget for new express lanes operation center in Golden

The Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) Board of Directors convened on May 14, 2025, to discuss key developments in transportation operations and budget adjustments. The meeting focused on addressing congestion issues and enhancing operational capabilities.

The session began with a discussion on toll rates, specifically a proposed increase to $2.70. Board members expressed optimism that this adjustment would alleviate severe congestion on Interstate 270, which has become problematic throughout the day, rather than just during peak hours. The board acknowledged the ongoing efforts to manage traffic flow effectively.

Following this, the board moved to the first agenda item concerning an amendment to the fiscal year 2025-2026 annual budget. The discussion centered on the establishment of a dedicated traffic operations center to support the growing tolling operations team. This initiative aims to improve monitoring and management of express lanes, with a projected build-out cost of approximately $1 million. The new center will be located adjacent to the existing Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) traffic operation center in Golden, allowing for operational synergy.

The board unanimously supported the budget amendment, which includes prepayment for the first five years of rent. The costs will be allocated based on a pro rata share of revenue, ensuring that more successful corridors contribute a larger share to the operational expenses.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure and managing congestion effectively. The approval of the budget amendment marks a significant step toward improving traffic operations in Colorado. Further actions will be taken to implement these plans as outlined in the discussions.