Date: 07/23/2014
Final
Public Highway Authorities Reports
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
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09:34 AM -- Public Highway Authorities Reports
Senator Todd, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. She reviewed the committee's upcoming meeting schedule and the day's agenda.
09:37 AM
Mayor Dick McLean, Chair, E-470 Board of Directors, and Mr. John McCuskey, Executive Director, E-470 Public Highway Authority (PHA), came to the table. Mr. McCuskey introduced himself to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment A) and the 2013 Annual Report (Attachment B). Mr. McCuskey discussed the E-470 PHA's 2013 Annual Report and responded to questions from the committee regarding how E-470 can relieve traffic congestion in other areas. He said that this summer has set records in traffic volume and added that the PHA is considering widening the highway. He said that they have over one million transponders in vehicles currently.
14TLRC0723AttachA.pdf 
14TLRC0723AttachB.pdf
09:46 AM
Mr. McCuskey answered questions from the committee regarding the number of customers who have not paid their tolls, what PHAs are doing to collect overdue tolls in other states, and pricing. He said that E-470 expects to nearly double the number of transactions in the state by 2020. He discussed the debt management plan and answered questions from the committee regarding these payments.
10:00AM
Mr. McCuskey said that the unbillable tolls are the single largest loss for the company, adding that vehicles with temporary license plates or no visible license plates make up 59 percent of unbillable toll revenue. He said that E-470 has been working with the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to find a solution to the problem. Senator Todd commented that these changes could help law enforcement agencies. Mr. McLean added that the placement of the temporary license plate tag is also an issue. Mr. McLean and Mr. McCuskey responded to questions from the committee regarding the makeup of the Board of Directors and pricing strategies for congestion and time of day. Mr. McLean stated that the board works very well together.
10:15 AM
Mayor Pro Tem Greg Stokes, Chairman, Northwest Parkway, and Mr. Ozaki, Managing Administrator, Northwest Parkway, introduced themselves to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment C). Mr. Stokes provided a background on the history of the parkway, recent energy savings, and current status. He said that the highway tolls continue to increase although the current revenue is less than the initial projections. He discussed the savings in power in all-electronic tolling and the Northwest Parkway's safety record. Senator Todd commented on the quality of road surfaces and its connection to public safety. Mr. Stokes and Mr. Ozaki answered questions from the committee regarding road maintenance, plans for refinancing, and the concession lease agreement.
14TLRC0723AttachC.pdf
10:34 AM
Mr. Bill Ray, Executive Director, Jefferson Parkway PHA reported on the current status of the parkway and future plans for deeding parcels in the right-of-way. He answered questions from the committee regarding the time line for the Jefferson Parkway and said that there is no firm date for construction. He proceeded to describe the planning process and answered questions from the committee regarding the types of financing Jefferson Parkway would seek for the project.