A new bridge scheduled to open next month should make it easier for Adams County residents to traverse the highways.
The 2,220-foot flyover ramp, which is in its final stages, will take motorists from eastbound Interstate 270 to eastbound Interstate 76. Currently, the only way for motorists to access eastbound I-76 from I-270 is via southbound I-25.
The project, coming in at a cost of $14.7 million, is considered a major milestone for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). It's the last of 10 major projects designed to improve the I-25/U.S. 36/I-270/I-76 interchange.
"Definitely, it's a huge milestone for us," said
Mindy Crane, spokeswoman for CDOT. "This was a huge project and it will certainly make a huge difference."
The first of the 10 projects, which kicked off in June 1996, constructed a total of five bridges - two for westbound I-270 over Washington Street and I-25, two for the exit ramp from northbound I-25 to 70th Avenue and one for northbound I-25 to westbound U.S. 36.
Twelve years and approximately $110 million later, the project is nearly finished. Officials say the new flyover will make an immediate impact on an area that sees approximately 75,000 motorists on a daily basis.
Crews placed I-270 and I-76 into its final configuration July 24. The area had been temporarily realigned to the north to allow for construction of the bridge.
The flyover, which will be a one way road, still needs to be painted and equipped with anti-icing materials before it opens, according to officials. The entire project will be completed this November - crews still need to replace a loop from southbound I-25 to eastbound I-76.
A Look At The Ten Major Projects To Improve The I-25/U.S. 36/I-270/I-76 Interchange
Project 1
Cost: $12 million
Contractor: Centric-Jones Co.
Work: Constructed a total of five new bridges. Two of the bridges were for westbound I-270 over Washington Street and over I-25. Two bridges were for the exit ramp from northbound I-25 to 70th Avenue. The final bridge connected northbound I-25 to westbound US 36.
Duration: June 1996 through May 1998
Project 2
Cost: $9 million
Contractor: SEMA Construction Co., Inc.
Work: Constructed the I-270 westbound bridge over Clear Creek, widened the existing US 36 bridge over Broadway, realigned southbound I-25 to the westbound US 36 ramp, which included the construction of mechanically stabilized earth walls.
Duration: July 1997 through December 1998
Project 3
Cost: $19 million
Contractor: Centric-Jones Co.
Work: Completed the westbound I-270 extension between I-76 and US 36, built the Direct Connect HOV ramp between US 36 and I-25 and constructed a new alignment of northbound I-25 between I-76 and 84th Avenue.
Duration: June 1998 through June 2001
Project 4
Cost: $17 million
Contractor: Lawrence Construction Co.
Work: Reconstructed the US 36/Pecos Street interchange, reconstructed US 36 between Zuni Street and Lipan Street in concrete and built a sound wall.
Duration: January 1999 through June 2001
Project 5
Cost: $19.5 million
Contractor: Asphalt Specialties Co, Inc.
Work: Reconstructed the US 36/Federal Boulevard interchange, reconstructed US 36 to include HOV lanes between Lowell Boulevard and Zuni Street.
Duration: October 1999 through March 2002
I-270 Extension Projects
Project 6
Cost: $11.3 million
Contractor: Centric-Jones Co.
Work: Constructed the long eastbound structure over I-25, installed retaining walls on eastbound US 36 at Broadway, on the ramp from eastbound US 36 to southbound I-25 and on the ramp from eastbound US 36 to northbound I-25.
Duration: January 1993 through October 1994
Project 7
Cost: $21 million
Contractor: Hamon Contractors, Inc.
Work: Constructed seven structures at the I-270 and I-76 interchange, rebuilt ramp movements from westbound I-270 to eastbound and westbound I-76. This project was accelerated two years due to TRANs bonds.
Duration: June 2000 through August 2003
Project 8
Cost: $8.5 million
Contractor: Hamon Contractors, Inc.
Work: Constructed eastbound I-270 from I-25 to York Street, including the new bridge structures at I-270 over Washington Street and I-270 over Clear Creek. This project was accelerated one year due to TRANs bonds.
Duration: October 1999 through March 2002
Project 9
Cost: $21 million
Contractor: SEMA Construction Co., Inc.
Work: Constructed a flyover ramp from southbound I-25 to eastbound I-270 and reconstructed southbound I-25 in concrete between 84th Avenue and I-76. This project would not have been constructed without TRANs bond monies.
Duration: March 2004 through November 2005
Project 10
Cost: $18.7 million
Contractor: Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc.
Work: Constructs a 2,200-foot flyover ramp from eastbound I-270 to eastbound I-76. The flyover opens in August with the rest of the project wrapping up in November.
Duration: December 2006 through November 2008
SOURCE: CDOT