Full Answer
What is the Denver-Boulder Turnpike and why is it important?
The Denver-Boulder Turnpike was championed by business and university interests in Boulder due to there being no direct route between Denver and Boulder. The 17.3-mile (27.8 km) toll road stretched from Federal Boulevard ( US 287) in Westminster to Baseline Road in Boulder, and opened on January 19, 1952 with a toll of $0.25.
How many miles is the Colorado Turnpike?
The 17.3-mile (27.8 km) toll road stretched from Federal Boulevard ( US 287) in Westminster to Baseline Road in Boulder, and opened on January 19, 1952 with a toll of $0.25. The Valley Highway from downtown Denver opened in 1952–1954, feeding directly into the Turnpike.
Where is the Denver-Boulder Turnpike toll booth?
The Denver-Boulder Turnpike (U.S. 36) was constructed with one toll booth from which toll takers could collect money from both directions on the highway. The toll plaza was mid-way between Denver and Boulder, right near the exit to Broomfield.
Where do you stop on the Denver-Boulder Turnpike?
Northwestbound traffic approaching Boulder on the turnpike can stop at the Davidson Mesa Overlook, providing a panoramic view of the Front Range mountains, the City of Boulder, and its famous Flatirons rock formation; a monument to the Denver-Boulder Turnpike's original builders is also located here.
When was the Centennial Parkway built?
When was the first concrete pavement laid in Colorado?
What act authorized the design of interstate highways?
What was the name of the tunnel that opened in 1979?
How many bridges were built in 1915?
What happened on I-25/I-70?
When was the Colorado Good Roads Association formed?
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About this website
How much is the Denver Boulder Turnpike?
Drivers without a transponder using the express lanes during peak morning rush will pay around $13 between Denver and Boulder. For those using a transponder, the cost will average around $7 for the same trip.
Are there tolls between Denver and Boulder?
Driving between Denver International Airport and Boulder, there are two toll plazas on E-470 and one on the Northwest Parkway. The E-470 tolls are collected ONLY through the electronic ExpressToll system requiring a transponder or through automated license plate photos.
Is US 36 a toll road?
Drivers can carpool, pay a toll or use the 18-mile commuter bikeway between Denver and Boulder. Pay a toll, either as a solo driver, or as a driver and one passenger.
How much are the tolls from Boulder to the airport?
There are three tolls on the DIA to Boulder route with each costing $2 - $3.
Is Hwy 36 to Boulder Open?
#US36 (Boulder Turnpike) eastbound: Road closed due to fire activity between Community Drive and Apple Valley Road. Remains closed due to nearby wildfire. Limited local access only.
What happens if you don't pay your tolls in Colorado?
If the account remains unpaid for 90 days, the account becomes delinquent and all overdue toll transactions will be sent to a collections law firm for up to four months in an attempt to find the customer and collect payment. The unpaid tolls, the $5 late fee and a one-time $20 collection fee are due at this time.
Can EZ Pass be used in Colorado?
EZ Pass electronic system does not work in the state of Colorado. The only accepted toll collection systems acceptable in Colorado are Plate Pass and Express Toll to use in any of the lanes.
Is the Boulder Turnpike a toll road?
The toll road route was so popular that, in 1967, drivers paid off the highway's construction costs 13 years ahead of schedule. At the time, a sign was posted that read “Keep your money. It's now a free highway.” Today, it still is. @gmail.com, or write to the Daily Camera, 5450 Western Ave., Boulder 80301-2709.
What are the toll roads in Colorado?
Colorado has three toll roads namely: E-470....There are also some express lanes in Colorado as listed below:I-25 Express Lanes.US-36 Express Lanes.C-470 Express Lanes.Central 70 Express Lanes.I-70 Mountain corridor express lanes.
What is HOV lane Colorado?
HOV stands for High Occupancy Vehicles, which is the term used for carpool vehicles. HOV 3 means a carpool with a driver, plus two passengers.
Why are Colorado tolls waived?
Tolls will be temporarily waived during this time to ensure system and technological performance. When using the lanes, drivers are reminded to not cross the solid white lines and to obey posted speed limits. The Express Lanes cannot be used to pass slower-moving vehicles.
Can you avoid tolls in Colorado?
To travel toll free, you need a Switchable HOV Transponder set to the red bar (HOV mode) and must be traveling with two or more passengers. Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV.
Will E-470 ever be free?
The bonds issued to pay for the 47-mile E-470, officials said, will be paid off by Sept. 1, eight years earlier than first projected. That's because the vehicle-registration fee is no longer needed, said Heidi Williams, the chair of the E-470 board of directors and Thornton's mayor.
Is it safe to drive in Boulder?
Conditions for driving are poor. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you if you have to drive despite weather conditions. Conditions for driving are fair. Keep up with your car maintenance, such as inspecting your windshield wipers and checking your tire treads.
Is 36 closed to Estes?
While US 36 is closed, drivers will need to use State Highway 7 or US 34 to travel to and from Estes Park.
Where is the NCAR fire?
BoulderThe NCAR Fire started about 2:15 p.m. March 26 on Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks property, south of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Facility in south Boulder. No injuries were reported, and no structures were lost.
Are there any toll roads in Colorado?
Colorado has three toll roads namely: E-470. Northwest Parkway. Pikes Peak Highway.
Are there tolls in Denver?
How do I pay Denver tolls? You can pay tolls for one of the roads around Denver using the electronic ExpressToll or Go-Pass tags, or with the license plate toll system.
Can you avoid tolls in Colorado?
To travel toll free, you need a Switchable HOV Transponder set to the red bar (HOV mode) and must be traveling with two or more passengers. Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV.
How much are the tolls in Denver?
License Plate Toll Rates – All HoursMainline Toll Plaza AMainline Toll Plaza C2 Axles$4.20$4.253 Axles$8.40$8.50Each Additional Axle$4.20$4.25
When was the Centennial Parkway built?
1985-88: Construction of the first three phases of the Centennial Parkway (today’s C-470 route around the southwestern portion of the Denver metro area) got underway.
When was the first concrete pavement laid in Colorado?
1918 : First concrete pavement laid in the state from Denver to Littleton along Santa Fe Drive (Federal Aid Project/F.A.P-1). The total cost of paving came to $73,939.74. 1919: Colorado was one of four pioneering states to pass a one-cent per gallon gas tax with revenues to be allocated to the state road fund.
What act authorized the design of interstate highways?
1944: The Federal Highway Act of 1944 authorized route designation and preliminary design of an eventual interstate highway system. 1945: Charles Vail passed away in January. 1946 : Mark U. Watrous became the Chief Engineer after surviving a court battle contesting the civil service examination and his appointment.
What was the name of the tunnel that opened in 1979?
Senator and Colorado Governor Edwin C. Johnson. This combined engineering triumph was officially known as the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel complex .
How many bridges were built in 1915?
Less than half (approximately 2,600 miles) had been constructed and only 196 miles had been surfaced. More than 200 bridges had been built, primarily by the counties with the assistance and direction of the Colorado Highway Commission.
What happened on I-25/I-70?
1984: An accident on I-25/I-70 interchange, locally known as the Mousetrap, grabbed national attention when a load of torpedoes spilled onto the freeway.
When was the Colorado Good Roads Association formed?
1905: Colorado Good Roads Association was formed in Denver.
Who built the Carnegie Library in Boulder?
The Carnegie Library was built with money donated by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie in response to a request from local organizer Clara Savory. Located at 1125 Pine Street, the building was modeled after Greek architecture, reflecting Boulderites’ opinion of their town as the “Athens of the West.” It is now he Carnegie Branch Library for Local History, housing the collections of the Boulder Historical and Genealogical societies.
What is the Boulder Camera?
The Boulder Camera was founded to cover local news and became a daily the next year. Still in publication, today it is known as the Daily Camera.
What was the name of the railroad that ran between Boulder and Ward?
The Colorado & Northwestern Railroad route between Boulder and Ward was named “The Switzerland Trail of America”. It operated until 1919.
What tribes lived in Boulder Valley?
For thousands of years, the Boulder Valley was home to several tribes of Native Americans . European colonization forced many Native American tribes further west. The Arapaho and Cheyenne, for example, moved from the Great Lakes Region to the Plains.
How long did the coal strike last in Boulder County?
3,000 coal miners in Boulder County went on a strike that lasted five years. Fights and other sporadic violence between striking miners and scabs became commonplace requiring patrols by deputies in the Boulder County mining community of Lafayette.
Why is Scott Carpenter Park named after Scott Carpenter?
Scott Carpenter Park was named in honor of the NASA astronaut from Boulder who was the second man to orbit Earth during the Mercury-Atlas 7 Mission in 1962.
Why did Boulder pass the anti-saloon ordinance?
Anti-Saloon Ordinance. Boulder passed an anti-saloon ordinance, due to a powerful female-led Prohibition Movement. The City did not officially overturn this measure until 1967, although 3.2% beer was legal beginning with the end of Federal Prohibition in 1933.
When did the Denver Turnpike become a reality?
Sixty years ago, in January 1952 , the Boulder-Denver Turnpike (now a portion of U.S. 36) became a reality. But, it also came with a Cost — for each automobile that traveled between Boulder and Broomfield, motorists had to pay a 15-cent toll. Those continuing on to Denver paid an additional 10 cents. (Fees were doubled for trucks.)
What road was used to make Federal Boulevard?
For decades, motorists traveling from Boulder to Denver drove east on Arapahoe Road , then turned south on U.S. 287, following that route through downtown Lafayette and Broomfield until the road, eventually, became Federal Boulevard. In the 1920s, University of Colorado Professor Roderick Downing and his civil engineering class discussed ...
Where was the new toll road in the 1950s?
Finally it was time for the public, in their Plymouths, DeSotos, and other popular automobiles of the early 1950s, to drive on the brand new road. For the first two days, excited drivers traveled for free for the length of the toll road — from Baseline Road, in Boulder, to the Federal Boulevard exit to Denver.
Who proposed a direct toll road?
In the 1920s, University of Colorado Professor Roderick Downing and his civil engineering class discussed the possibility of a direct toll road that would link the two cities. Nothing happened, however, for two more decades. In 1947, Downing’s ideas were dusted off by the Colorado Legislature.
Who was the father of the toll road?
Opening day ceremonies at the toll road’s only interchange, at Broomfield, attracted more than 1,000 people, including Professor Downing , called the “father” of the toll road. The Boulder High School band played the national anthem, while a color guard raised the American flag.
When was Highway 102 changed to a new road?
The new state highway was assigned the Primary Road No. 102 designation, and kept its number when many others were changed in 1923. The west end of State Highway 102 was initially at Strasburg, but by 1924 it had been shifted to Byers, using the present County Roads 10 and 197 to return to current US 36.
When did I 70 open?
Returning to Colfax Avenue east of Denver, the first part of I-70 in that area opened in 1961–1962, bypassing Watkins and Bennett and carrying US 36 (and US 40 / 287 ). The freeway was extended east past Strasburg and Byers in 1963–1964, including the final realignment of US 36 northeast of Byers.
Where is the US 36 bikeway?
The US 36 bikeway, part of the multi-modal Fastracks US 36 Express Lanes Project, mostly parallels the road between Table Mesa Drive in Boulder and 80th Avenue in Westminster, the first 11-mile stretch between Westminster and Louisville/Superior opening on Bike-to-Work Day in June 2015, the full route to Table Mesa in Boulder in March 2016.
Where does US 36 cross Boulder Creek?
Leaving the Boulder shopping district, US 36 crosses Boulder Creek and passes through the University of Colorado campus area as an expressway to the interchange with Baseline Road, where it meets Spur US 36, a two-block long connector along 27th Way to SH 93, signed only as "To SH 93" and "To US 36".
Where does US 36 go in Boulder?
Just outside Lyons, US 36 turns south at a signalized intersection onto two-lane North Foothills Highway, while SH 66 continues east to Longmont. From Lyons to Boulder, US 36 pretty much traces the edge of the foothills .
Where is the HOT lane in Colorado?
Beginning in July 2012, the Colorado Department of Transportation built a high-occupancy toll lane (HOT lane) in each direction between Federal Boulevard and 88th Street in Louisville, Colorado . Phase 1 of the project, costing $497 million, will open in summer 2015. High-occupancy vehicles and buses like RTD 's Flatiron Flyer travel free in the HOT lanes, while single-occupancy vehicles must pay between $1.25 to $7.60, depending on time of day, or up to $13.68 without an electronic toll collection pass. To accommodate the lanes, several bridges were replaced and shoulders were widened along the highway. Phase 2 of the project, anticipated to be complete by early 2016, will extend the HOT lanes from 88th Street to Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, Colorado, through a public–private partnership.
Where is Highway 36 in Colorado?
For the entire route, see U.S. Route 36. U.S. Highway 36 is a major east–west route in the U.S. state of Colorado, extending from Rocky Mountain National Park to the Kansas state line.
When was the Denver-Boulder Turnpike paid off?
The Denver-Boulder Turnpike became a toll road success story. On September 14, 1967, a ceremony was held near the toll booth plaza to announce that the road was fully paid off. The traffic using the road had been so much greater than estimated, that the cost of the road was paid off 13 years early!
What was the dog called when building the turnpike?
Shep and Building the Turnpike. The dog was clearly part Shepherd, and the men named him Shep. Shep became skilled at maneuvering around all the big equipment, and life was good as long as the work continued. The Denver-Boulder Turnpike (U.S. 36) was constructed with one toll booth from which toll takers could collect money from both directions on ...
What happened to Shep in 1964?
Shep was not doing well. He didn’t hear, couldn’t see well, and he mostly needed to be carried in and out of the toll booth. At that point, the staff made the difficult decision to take Shep to Dr. Brunner for a last visit.
Why did Shep bring food to the toll booth?
Because Shep was accustomed to touching bases with the workmen, it didn’t take long for him to figure out that the toll booth operators were his new best friends—and they were. They brought food regularly, and always shared with Shep. One cold Colorado night, one of the toll takers worried about Shep sleeping outside.
Why was the Shep's grave moved?
No one liked that idea. Because Shep had been a local celebrity and still lived on in stories of Broomfield, the townspeople decided that Shep’s gravesite needed to be moved. A place was made for him at Zang Spur Park next to the Broomfield Depot Museum. (The video below tells of the day the gravesite was moved, and there is an interview with Dr. Brunner, Shep’s vet. It shows how very much the people of Broomfield cared for Shep.)
What was the first tombstone?
The first tombstone was a rough-hewn one made by one of the toll takers . It was inscribed “Our Pal.”. Later on, someone must have donated the money for an official tombstone. This one said, “Shep, 1950-1964, Part Shepherd, Mostly Affection.”.
When were American dogs attracted to construction sites?
Shep with turnpike attendant, 1955. Stray dogs have always been attracted to construction sites. This was certainly true in Colorado in the late 1940s when a new road was begun that would link Denver to the fast-growing university town of Boulder, just north of the city. When the Colorado Highway Department received ...
What is the name of the road between Denver and Boulder?
Between Boulder and Denver, the road that is now US 36 was originally built as the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. It serves today as a major arterial freeway in the Front Range Urban Corridor.
What is the name of the highway that crosses the Missouri River?
The section of US-36 from Washington, Kansas to St. Joseph, Missouri is officially called the Pony Express Highway because it marks the starting section of the Pony Express. It crosses the Missouri River on the Pony Express Bridges.
Where is the Missouri River crossing?
US 36 crossing the Missouri River on the Pony Express Bridge in St. Joseph. I-229 parallels the river.
Where is Interstate 72 in Illinois?
See also: Interstate 72 in Illinois. In the state of Illinois, U.S. 36 runs concurrently with much of Interstate 72. It enters from Missouri across the Mississippi River on the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge, and runs east, crossing Interstate 55 in Springfield. At the U.S. Route 51 bypass in Decatur, U.S.
Is US 36 a two lane road?
From the western junction with K-383 to the Missouri state line, US-36 is part of the National Highway System . Except for wider sections in towns and pas sing lanes on hills, US-36 through Kansas is mostly a two-lane surface road. However some of the principal intersections all along the road are grade-separated diamond interchanges.
Is US 36 a grade separated highway?
From the Little Blue River just west of the K-148 junction to the US-77 North junction just west of the Big Blue River at Marysville, US-36 is a four-lane divided surface highway.
When was the Centennial Parkway built?
1985-88: Construction of the first three phases of the Centennial Parkway (today’s C-470 route around the southwestern portion of the Denver metro area) got underway.
When was the first concrete pavement laid in Colorado?
1918 : First concrete pavement laid in the state from Denver to Littleton along Santa Fe Drive (Federal Aid Project/F.A.P-1). The total cost of paving came to $73,939.74. 1919: Colorado was one of four pioneering states to pass a one-cent per gallon gas tax with revenues to be allocated to the state road fund.
What act authorized the design of interstate highways?
1944: The Federal Highway Act of 1944 authorized route designation and preliminary design of an eventual interstate highway system. 1945: Charles Vail passed away in January. 1946 : Mark U. Watrous became the Chief Engineer after surviving a court battle contesting the civil service examination and his appointment.
What was the name of the tunnel that opened in 1979?
Senator and Colorado Governor Edwin C. Johnson. This combined engineering triumph was officially known as the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel complex .
How many bridges were built in 1915?
Less than half (approximately 2,600 miles) had been constructed and only 196 miles had been surfaced. More than 200 bridges had been built, primarily by the counties with the assistance and direction of the Colorado Highway Commission.
What happened on I-25/I-70?
1984: An accident on I-25/I-70 interchange, locally known as the Mousetrap, grabbed national attention when a load of torpedoes spilled onto the freeway.
When was the Colorado Good Roads Association formed?
1905: Colorado Good Roads Association was formed in Denver.
1900-1910
1910-1920
1920-1930
- 1921:Legislature repealed the four-year-old Highway Act. In May, Major L.D. Blauvelt was appointed as state highway engineer. 1921:A Division of Maintenance was established by the Colorado Highway Commission. 1922:The U.S. Bureau of Public Roads approved Colorado’s first federally aided road system covering 3,332 miles. 1924: The highway department completed th…
1930-1940
- 1930:On October 26, Major L.D. Blauvelt died. In December, Charles D. Vail was appointed state highway engineer. 1930s:During of the Great Depression, federal work projects helped Colorado construct and maintain state highway system. 1935: Highway Department employees were joined by 44 new co-workers selected from among 7,500 applicants to become the first members of th…
1940-1950
- 1940:The original highway (U.S. Hwy. 6) over Vail Pass was completed. 1944:The Federal Highway Act of 1944 authorized route designation and preliminary design of an eventual interstate highway system. 1945:Charles Vail passed away in January. 1946: Mark U. Watrous became the Chief Engineer after surviving a court battle contesting the civil service examination …
1950-1960
- 1950: Grading work and ballast on 10.7 miles of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike began. 1952: The entire Denver-Boulder Turnpike opened to through traffic. The toll for the entire route was 25 cents. 1953:The state legislature passed a new law reorganizing the Highway Department and renaming it the Colorado Department of Highways. 1956:Congress passed t...
1960-1970
- 1963:In August, Mark Watrous retired as chief engineer. Governor John A. Love appointed Charles E. Shumate to lead the Department of Highways as chief engineer. Initial boring of the westbound Straight Creek tunnel through the Continental Divide along today’s I-70 route began in October. 1964:Federal funding expands the Valley Highway (I-25) and I-70. The first 2.6 mile section of I-7…
1970-1980
- 1973:On March 8, the westbound Straight Creek tunnel bore, officially named the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, was dedicated. 1975:Charles Shumate retired as executive director. Jack Kinstlinger appointed his successor. 1976:I-225 opened on the east side of the Denver metro area. 1976: On Colorado Day, the Big Thompson Canyon flood devastates a section of U.S. 34, claimin…
1980-1990
- 1980:Construction began on the final link of I-70, a 12-mile segment through Glenwood Canyon. 1982:Joseph Dolan was appointed executive director; succeeding Jack Kinstlinger. 1984:An accident on I-25/I-70 interchange, locally known as the Mousetrap, grabbed national attention when a load of torpedoes spilled onto the freeway. 1984: The Colorado State Patrol, a division o…
1990-2000
- 1991:The Colorado Department of Highways becomes Colorado Department of Transportation with passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) by the U.S. Congress. 1992: The I-70 Final Link, a 12-mile portion of the freeway through Glenwood Canyon, was completed in October. Dedication ceremonies were held in the Hanging Lake Tunnels. 1994…