In just a few months, construction officially begins on the long-awaited and often controversial interstate project.
The Colorado Department of Transportation will break ground on the Central 70 project this summer. Crews will reconstruct a 10 mile stretch of the roadway between Brighton Boulevard and Chambers Road.
The project will include new express lanes in both directions, removal of an old viaduct and lowering of the interstate for that portion of the roadway, as well as the addition of a 4-acre park above it.
Already, some preliminary work is underway.
“Everything from survey work, knowing from one end of the project to the other in very specific details,” explained Rebecca White, the Deputy Director of Communications for the project.
She continued listing the work happening now: “We had some properties we had to acquire so we’re finishing up demolishing those; testing the soil so we know what’s clay what’s sand and all that work; and then the final design.”
One already visible part of the project is the demolition of the Colonial Manor Motel on E.46th Street. For years, drivers could see the sign from the interstate above.
Traffic congestion is already a concern. When construction on the begins, CDOT said all current lanes of I-70 will remain open during daytime hours.
“We are not letting them close lanes on the interstate during the day,” White said. “This highway is the backbone to our state. It [has] 1,200 businesses that rely on it, 200,000 cars. We really cannot afford for I-70 to operate any worse than it does today.”
White said much of the interstate work will take place at night, and crews could shift lanes with cones if necessary.
“It won’t get easier before it gets better but it will get a lot better when we’re done,” she said.
The project is not without controversy. Many are still angry about the project's potential impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.
On the streets below the viaduct portion, there could be more traffic disruption.
“That’s one of our primary concerns is – keeping this neighborhood moving,” White said. CDOT said the state placed restrictions on how the contractor can close streets.
“Consecutive streets can’t be closed, business access must be maintained at all times, [there] can’t be any driveway closures to business,” White listed as examples.
CDOT said it will keep drivers posted on traffic issues via overhead overhead boards, social media, and the 511 line.
To learn more about the project’s phases and a timeline of work, visit CDOT's website.
