Jan 27, 2008 9:11 pm US/Mountain
Toll For I-70 Proposed To Curb Congestion
Howard Nathan Reporting
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Interstate 70 traffic jam in the high country. (File)
CBS
A Colorado lawmaker has introduced a bill to charge drivers who want to take the highway during the weekend rush hour.
Sen. Chris Romer suggested charging $5 to $12 for a weekend ride to the mountains between 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
The price would be adjusted based on traffic levels on Interstate 70 from Floyd Hill to Georgetown.
By staying off I-70 during those peak traffic hours, drivers would get a $25 check or coupon for a slope-side restaurant. Despite an initial bad reaction, some are willing to consider a fee.
"I'd be more enthusiastic about a fee if they actually used it to provide some public transportation alternatives," William Martinez from Colorado Springs said.
"It's an incentive and, you know, I think I appreciate that they're coming up with ways to solve the problem," Diana Fiore from Commerce City said.
Demand for a light rail was raised again, but one driver said it's not a reality and it seems like it's a long way off.
"I have a place on Floyd Hill and Evergreen," Dan O'Connell from Lakewood said. "Why should I have to be taxed every time I go through the tunnel to get home?"
Romer said one of the challenges is figuring out how to use the technology to charge people.
As for truckers, Romer said he would like to limit deliveries to mountainside towns during the off-peak times and he's suggested a financial incentive would work.
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