AURORA, Colo. — There is new interchange on E-470 on the east side of the Denver metro area.
The completed E-470 interchange at The Aurora Highlands Parkway will fully open to drivers on Friday, June 28.
Located north of Interstate 70 and south of Denver International Airport, the new interchange provides access directly into The Aurora Highlands community. The Aurora Highlands is a 4,000-acre master-planned community that is expanding the east side of the Denver metro area.
The Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority (ARTA) said it will significantly enhance access to northeast Aurora and The Aurora Highlands.
"The Aurora Highlands will be home to 60,000 residents in the future and this also opens up the industrial to the west of 38th Avenue," said Matt Hopper, chairman of the ARTA. "This is the first major project. This is an $870 million interchange that ARTA did in combination with E-470 and it’s the first new interchange on E-470 in quite a while."
Hopper said this road project is the first of 30 the ARTA is constructing throughout the region.
"The next phase of this particular project will be opening 38th Avenue to the west," Hopper said. "We expect for that construction to begin in the next 60-90 days and that should take about 6-8 months before that's open and that will open up the Aurora Highlands back towards Picadilly and ultimately onto Tower Road."
Managing Principal of The Aurora Highlands, Carla Ferriera, said she expects the population there to grow within the next 10-12 years. She said other developers are starting to join the ARTA, enabling them to work together on road projects.
"Development is prime for all of us right now, so we’re all kind of working at the same time," Ferriera said. "You’ll see a lot of development out here not just with The Aurora Highlands but north and south of us as well."
The E-470 interchange project at The Aurora Highlands Parkway broke ground in January 2023. The northbound ramp opened at the interchange last December.
"As we anticipate the influx of traffic to and from The Aurora Highlands, the completion of the E-470 interchange is more than an infrastructure project — it’s a gateway to Aurora’s future," Hopper said. "Access to northeast Aurora and The Aurora Highlands is essential as we prepare for a significant expansion and aim to support the burgeoning economic and residential growth in the Aerotropolis region."
Aurora’s Mayor Mike Coffman and ARTA representatives will hold a ribbon-cutting and "first drive" ceremony June 28 at 3 p.m. The first drive will include Aurora Fire trucks and Aurora Police squad cars.
"As we prepare for the opening of the full E-470 interchange at The Aurora Highlands Parkway, we're paving the way for a thriving community," said Carla Ferreira, Principal and Director of On-Site Development at The Aurora Highlands.
"This interchange is a cornerstone in our vision for a dynamic, connected future where growth and community development are seamlessly integrated. Our continued partnership with local authorities and transportation agencies is crucial as we work together to foster a vibrant living environment for current and future residents."
Hopper said the ARTA was formed in 2018. It's a combination of the City of Aurora, Adams County and the Aerotropolis Metropolitan Districts. He said they are charged with opening 21,000 acres for development north of I-70 to Denver International Airport.
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