E-470 traffic up 12 percent, expansion planned

There are plans to expand E-470 just to keep up with traffic -- and newly released numbers make a case for more lanes.

Traffic is up 12.4 percent over 2014, marking the sixth straight year of growth for the toll road.

The goal is to expand eight miles of E-470 from two lanes to three, running from Parker to Quincy. The project is estimated to cost $80 million with an anticipated ground breaking in the spring.

Transactions increased from $66.4 million in 2014 to $74.6 million in 2015. Net toll revenues increased by 15 percent for a grand total of $173 million collected last year. Revenue generated goes toward paying down bond debt and ongoing construction.

Officials believe the increase is due to a number of factors including the state's population growth. They also believe the proximity to the airport and lower gas prices are causing more people to chose a toll road.

"We’ve seen the traffic increase. In addition to that, they are developing neighborhoods along the road that were never there. When the road was first built there were not any neighborhoods," said Jessica Carson, a spokesperson for E-470.

An open house to discuss the widening project is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 23155 East Heritage Parkway in Aurora.