E-470 marks its 25th anniversary with increasing traffic volumes, increasing revenues, and an expansion plan in the works.
The E-470 toll road recently hit its 25th anniversary at a time of high use, and high revenues. "But even as E-470 enjoyed its best year in 2015 and Wednesday celebrates its silver anniversary, longtime critics say the highway locks out too many local motorists who can’t afford its price tag," writes Monte Whaley.
A trip along the entire 47-mile expressway now costs $17.45, or $14 with an ExpressToll account. When the final phase of the route opened in 2003, the same trip cost $8.50. Some critics argue that cost of driving E-470 has betrayed the promise of trucks taking the route to bypass the city. For an 18-wheeler with five axles and no toll account, the entire route costs $69.50.
Yet, 2015 was the sixth year of growing traffic on E-470, which also increased net toll revenues to $173 million. The project's debt-income ratio even means that E-470 can "afford an $88 million expansion of the tollway between Parker Road and Quincy Avenue from two lanes to three in each direction."
FULL STORY: E-470 hits 25-year mark with more travelers and revenue
Colorado is Using Free E-Bikes to Fight Climate Change
A state program is giving free electric bikes to residents in an effort to provide more transportation options and reduce dependence on cars.
First Steps to Combat Homelessness in Denver Suburbs
Efforts are underway in several Denver suburbs to quantify and respond to growing homelessness.
Land Trusts Find Traction in the Spiking Colorado Housing Market
According to an article in The Denver Post, more community land trusts are being created in Colorado to help more find their footing in the housing market.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service