FAQs

1. What is being studied in the I-70 East EIS?

The I-70 EIS, which began in 2003, is studying highway improvements on I-70 between I-25 and Tower Road. The project goals are to reduce congestion, improve safety, and make it easier to get on and off the highway.

2. What are the next steps?

The Final EIS public review period concluded on March 2, 2016. A Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued by the FHWA in late summer of 2016 with construction anticipated to begin in 2017.

3. What is a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental Draft EIS)?

Whenever there are changes, new information, or further developments on a project which result in significant environmental impacts not identified in the most recently distributed version of the draft or final EIS, a supplemental EIS is necessary.

4. What is a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS)?

Based on the comments on the Supplemental Draft EIS, CDOT and FHWA prepared a Final EIS to announce the identified Preferred Alternative. Response to public comments are not mandated for the Final EIS; however, the agencies will consider the comments in preparing the ROD.

5. What is a Record of Decision (ROD)?

CDOT and FHWA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) based on the Final EIS and the comments received during the review period. This is the final action prior to project implementation. The ROD will select a Preferred Alternative and agencies will be legally bound to implement it.

6. How can I stay in contact?

If you can't find what you are looking for, would like to request additional information, or wish to contact us personally: Contact Us

7. Is CDOT still considering rerouting I-70?

		Read about some of the false perceptions and learn about the realities regarding this alternative: Perceptions and Realities
		Click to read the Letter of Support from the City and County of Denver, Adams County, and Commerce City to CDOT.

CDOT is NOT considering rerouting I-70! Recently, there have been many questions about whether CDOT is evaluating an alternative that would realign I-70 around Denver using Interstates 270 and 76. This alternative was eliminated from consideration early in the project process, as documented in the Draft EIS (DEIS).

Additional reasons for not considering this option a reasonable alternative for I-70 East are included in the Final EIS (FEIS). The alternatives evaluated by CDOT for improvements to I-70 can be found on the Alternatives page. Information regarding the final Preferred Alternative (Partial Cover Lowered Alternative) can be found on the Alternatives page and in the Final EIS (FEIS) document.

8. What will and will not the I-70 East/Central 70 Project do?

Detailed information about the I-70 East/Central 70 project can be found on this project website www.i-70east.com and at central70.codot.gov.

The I-70 East project will

The I-70 East project will NOT

Project Basics

Will:  Provide the first safety and capacity improvements to I-70 since the highway's construction in 1964.

• 1 new Express Lane in each direction.

• Auxiliary lanes for safe exiting.

• Shoulders for accidents and breakdowns.

• Rebuilding of some existing side streets.

Will Not:  Add unnecessary or excessive lanes. The proposed 8- to 10-lane template is similar to other major interstates in the metro area and is designed to safely carry well over 200,000 vehicles per day.

Will:  Permanently address the 50-year old viaduct; the second largest bridge in Colorado and the last of the 33 worst bridges in the state yet to be addressed.

Will Not:  Prevent CDOT from addressing poor and structurally deficient bridges around the state. The Transportation Commission requires that no more than 50% of revenues from the Bridge Enterprise program be allocated to I-70 East.

Will:  Add new capacity and choice with Express Lanes that encourage carpooling, accommodate future transit growth and guarantee drivers a congestion-free trip even as Colorado grows by 50%.

Will Not:  Add new capacity as general purpose lanes where congestion can't be managed.

Will:  Create a vibrant and active 4-acre cover maintained by the City and County of Denver and modeled on other active spaces around the nation.

Will Not:  Further divide the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods.

Will:  Ensure all aspects of the highway, including landscaping and snow removal, are maintained via strict standards placed on the Developer.

Will Not:  Be subject to unknown funding sources for maintenance.

Will:  Enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and safety throughout the corridor by incorporating 8-foot sidewalks, tree lawns and lighting along roads.

Will Not:  Reduce pedestrian and bicycle connectivity or safety.

Will:  Have its own independent drainage system designed for the 100-year storm. More info: Drainage Fact Sheet

Will Not:  Require additional property acquisitions for drainage or rely on any other drainage system in the area to function.

Traffic Congestion

Will:  Relieve congestion and create a functioning highway that makes it possible for drivers to return to I-70 for their trips instead of the local street network.

Will Not:  Shift traffic to the local street network. More info: Final EIS Alternative Analysis Technical Report

Will:  Accommodate freight traffic on one of Colorado's most active industrial and business corridors; serving 1,200 businesses and 22,000 employees.

Will Not:  Shift freight traffic from the interstate to local streets.

Impacts and Mitigations

Will:  Provide a series of unprecedented mitigations including a $2M contribution to affordable housing development, funding for fresh food access, improvements to Swansea Elementary School and home improvements for more than 300 homes.

Will Not:  Ignore the impacts to the community.

Will:  Meet all health-based air quality standards and result in emissions levels that are equivalent or reduced compared to No Action even with the nearly 50% increase in population and increased travel expected in 2035.

Will Not:  Cause violations of health-based air quality standards set by the EPA.

Will:  Improve air quality in the area, including at Swansea Elementary School, by reducing congestion and building a lowered and partially covered highway.

Will Not:  Negatively impact long-term air quality.

Will:  Provide the residents and owners of 56 homes acquired for the project with full benefits under the Uniform Act, including covering the cost difference caused by market conditions.

Will Not:  Require residents displaced by the project to make up the difference between the value of their home and a new property with like characteristics or place restrictions on where residents choose to move.