History
E-470 Has a Long History
Starting as a joint effort among local government to build and operate an eastern metro Denver beltway, the E-470 Public Highway Authority has grown to become an industry leader in tolling transportation and innovation. Now handling more than 118 million toll transactions per year, E-470 has established itself as a regional mobility solution for metro Denver.
1980
February 26, 1985
E-470 Authority is formed through Memorandum of Understanding between Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
December 14, 1988
Roy Romer, fourth from left, Betty Anne Dittemore, the only woman, and other leaders did shovel duty at the December 14, 1988 groundbreaking for E-470’s Segment I.
1990
June 1, 1991
Segment I from I-25 South/C-470 to Parker Road opens at 3:30 p.m. One month later, tolls begin on Segment I.
March 16, 1996
Ten-millionth toll-paying customer passes through E-470 toll plazas.
March 14, 1998
Ground is broken on the Authority’s Administrative Headquarters Facility and the building officially opens on February 1, 1999.
2000
June 1, 2001
E-470 launches the Transportation Safety Foundation.
January 3, 2003
E-470 opens final segment or the road from U.S. 85 to the I-25 North interchange in Thornton, completing the 47-mile semi-circular beltway.
June 4, 2007
Cable median barrier installed on 10.25 miles, between South Parker Road and E. Jewell Avenue to improve safety and prevent cross over accidents by absorbing the crash’s kinetic energy and keeping the vehicle in place rather than bouncing it back into traffic. Cable barrier is currently installed on all 47 miles of E-470.
July 4, 2009
E-470 becomes the first all-electronic toll facility in the United States with non-stop cashless tolling.
2010
2011
Transition from hard-case transponders to sticker tags begins.
March 2012
In 2012, E-470 completed the installation of 22 solar arrays in a 17 mile stretch between Gartrell Road and 64th Avenue. The energy from the solar panels powers streetlights, signage, equipment, toll plazas and maintenance facilities along E-470. All panels are built to allow for any solar energy left unused by E-470 to be banked and drawn on in the future.
September 2013
E-470 wins the IBTTA Presidential award for its installation of solar power arrays along the toll road.
August 2017
E-470 installs two DC fast electric vehicle chargers at its headquarters building. Use of the EV chargers is free to drivers.
June 17, 2019
Next phase of road widening project begins, adding a third lane in each direction from Quincy Ave. to I-70.