New lane through the gap will remain free until equipment testing is complete

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Drivers who travel to and from Denver have a few more months to use the new express lane for free.    

Initially, the plan was to begin charging for the express lane this fall but, CDOT says it is still in the testing phase of the new tolling equipment.    

There is no exact date for when drivers will have to start paying. A spokesperson told KRDO this week there will be plenty of warnings on radio stations, social media, and especially those large message boards above the road.

Tamara Rollison, CDOT Region 1 communications manager said "the first thing people will probably know is that we will activate the large overhead electronic signs that you see over the highway. So there will be messaging on those boards to let people know when tolling will begin. We'll have a countdown. We'll use those boards for a countdown."

 There's no final decision on how much the toll road will cost to use. However, according to Rollison, the express lane through the gap will be the cheapest in the state. She also recommends drivers who plan to use the express lane get an express toll pass because it will save a lot of money in the long run.