Third Through Lane of Westbound Arapahoe Road Near I-25 To Open Tonight

The new through lane is separated from the two existing through lanes by the bridge piers and is next to the on-ramp lane to southbound I-25 (see attached photo).

“With this new configuration, motorists traveling on westbound Arapahoe Road can utilize the left lane on the north side of the bridge pier to travel through the intersection and motorists needing access to southbound I-25 will have to travel in the right lane on the north side of the bridge pier,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Abe Lavassani.  “It will take some time to get use to the new configuration, but there are several large overhead signs to help direct motorists through the interchange.”

Eastbound Arapahoe Road is currently in a similar configuration with the third through lane on the south side of the bridge piers.  Motorists in the left lane on the south side of the bridge piers can go straight and motorists in the far right lane can access I-25.  The third through lane of eastbound Arapahoe Road has been open since mid-May 2010.

In addition to the third through lane in each direction, this project added a turn lane from westbound Arapahoe Road between the southbound I-25 off-ramp and Yosemite Street, modified the center median, added additional signage and made pedestrian crossing improvements.

“We were able to make significant improvements to this interchange with minimal funding,” added Lavassani.  “By adding a third through lane in each direction, the interchange will be able to handle more traffic, which will improve safety and mobility and hopefully reduce congestion during peak hours.”

Structures, Inc. is the contractor for this $2.4 million project.  All major roadway work is complete, but crews may be conducting minor work including landscaping over the next couple of weeks.

Photos show westbound Arapahoe Road looking east.