CEF2E00F3546324A87258A3D006EE0CA Hearing Summary

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM PUBLIC HIGHWAY AUTHORITIES

INTERIM COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Oct 3, 2023
Location Old State Library

Presentation from Public Highway Authorities - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

AttachmentHE470 TLRC Presentation.pdf

AttachmentI_NWPPHA.pdf

AttachmentJJeffersonPkwyTLRC Presentation.pdf

02:11:07 PM

John Diak, Board
Chairman representing E-470 gave a history of of the public highway. The
highway authority's presentation can be found in Attachment H.

02:14:18 PM

Mr. Diak indicated
that the authority is 100 percent user financed and is not funded by taxes.
He said that the current debt for E-470 is $1.3 billion and is related
to bonds, which are scheduled to be paid off in 2041.

02:14:55 PM

Mr. Diak discussed
monthly transaction trends for E-470.

02:15:47 PM

Mr. Diak talked about
the reduction of tolls and elimination of fees. He indicated that
this year, toll rates were frozen. Mr. Diak mentioned that vehicle
registration fees related to the toll road and highway expansion fees were
eliminated in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

02:16:36 PM

Mr. Diak talked about
the ratings upgrade history for the tollway.

02:17:30 PM

There was a discussion
about regional collaboration to improve the journey. Mr. Diak mentioned
that E-470 works with communities along the tollway on a variety of projects
including trails, additional interchanges, and electric vehicle charging.

02:18:14 PM

Beau Memory, Executive
Director representing E-470, shared that the authority has reinvested $500
million into projects, including lighting and technology, and has put $1.5
billion into the region.

02:19:09 PM

Mr. Memory talked
about a number of reinvestments, including road widening, interchanges,
trail extension. He focused on projects at I-70 and 104th Avenue
that eventually includes four lanes; interchanges at 38th and 48th Avenues;
expansions at 64th Avenue and Pena Boulevard; and expansion of the High
Plains Trail from 26th to 64th and 88th to 104th Avenues.

02:19:45 PM

Mr. Memory talked
about the sustainability efforts of the authority, including water conservation,
and upgrading electric vehicle chargers powered by solar energy. There
was a discussion about solar infrastructure along the tollway.

02:20:32 PM

Mr. Memory mentoned
the authority's commitment to safety, including signs for on and off ramps
addressing divers driving the wrong way; cable barriers; deer fence; 24-7
monitoring of the tollway; and snow removal.

02:21:36 PM

There was a discussion
about roadside assistance including responding to 12,000 calls in 2022
and a partnership with the State Patrol.

02:22:32 PM

Mr. Memory discussed
commercial motor vehicle support. He talked about discounts
to commercial vehicles traveling E-470. Mr. Memory talked about the
value of commercial goods moving along the tollway, with $3.6 billion in
goods flowing in and $4.3 billion in goods flowing out.

02:23:44 PM

Mr. Memory outlined
E-470's partnership with the Department of Corrections. He said that
since 2017 inmates have helped review images of license plates to ensure
that billing is sent to the correct individuals. Mr. Memory indicated
that 32 individuals are reviewing around 5,600 images per day with close
to a 99 percent accuracy rate.

2022 operating statistices for E-470 were provided by Mr. Memory, including
86.2 million transactions, as well as serving customers on 870,855 calls.
Mr. Memory mentioned that the authority is receiving high rankings
in customer service.

02:24:01 PM

Mr. Memory talked
about E-470's legislative interests, including public employees, public
authority interests, and land use and property development.

02:24:24 PM

There was a discussion
about E-470's debt. Mr. Diak talked about debt payments and funds
for infrastructure.

02:26:49 PM

There was a discussion
about enforcement and the partnership with the Department of Corrections.
E-470 staff will provide costs for the program to Representative
Mabrey.

02:31:32 PM

The presenters discussed
toll rates and volume, as well as the widening of lanes.

02:34:09 PM

There was a discussion
about safety.

02:36:10 PM

The presenters continued
to discuss debt retirement.

02:38:47 PM

The committee discussed
intersections and the Front Range Passenger Rail District.

02:42:31 PM

Presenters answered
questions about the use of the tollways right of way for rail.

02:43:16 PM

Joel Meggers, Managing
Administrator representing the Northwest Parkway, provided information
about the parkway (Attachment I).

02:46:14 PM

Mr. Meggers provided
a history and membership of the parkway.

02:46:25 PM

Mr. Meggers talked
about the boundaries of the parkway.

02:47:26 PM

There was a discussion
about the milestones for the parkway, including toll rates on electronic
signs in 2020 and pavement rehabilitation in 2019.

02:48:39 PM

Pedro Costa, Chief
Executive Officer represnting the Northwest Parkway, LLC, talked about
the responsibilities of the LLC.

02:49:20 PM

Mr. Costa talked about the concession.

02:50:44 PM

Mr. Costa talked
about traffic on the parkway, including that post-pandemic traffic is at
2017 levels.

02:51:06 PM

The discussion continued on traffic, and included information about the relationship to toll revenue.

02:51:53 PM

Mr. Costa outlined
the Marshall Fire Toll Relief Fund. He said the fund was used for
those rebuilding their homes with the remaining balance going to local
non-profits to aid all victims.

02:56:10 PM

Bill Ray, representing
the Jefferson Parkway Highway Authority, presented information about the
authority (Attachment J) to the committee.

02:58:50 PM

Mr. Ray talked about the history of the parkway.

03:02:04 PM

Mr. Ray talked about
the ongoing discussion with some members wanting to withdraw from the parkway.

Presentation from Public Highway Authorities - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly