CDOT Releases the North I-25 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Seeking Public Input

August 19, 2011 - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - GREELEY – Today, August 19th, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) released the North I-25 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a 30-day comment period in order to collect public input on the Preferred Alternative and the phased implementation approach for the Preferred Alternative.

The purpose of the study is to identify reasonable transportation improvements that will address mobility, accessibility, safety, and the aging infrastructure along I-25 while providing more transportation choices.  The Preferred Alternative was identified with guidance from public comments submitted on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and an extensive collaborative effort with local agencies.

“We’ve had a tremendous amount of public involvement and cooperation from local agencies throughout the process,” said CDOT Region Transportation Director Johnny Olson.  “Through the collaborative effort, we have identified a Preferred Alternative that will enhance mobility and support continued growth throughout northern Colorado.”

The Preferred Alternative includes the following elements:

  • General Purposes Lanes- One new general purpose lane in each direction of I-25 between State Highway (SH) 66 and SH 14.
  • Tolled Express Lanes (TEL)- One buffer-separated TEL in each direction of I-25 from the existing HOV/Express Toll Lanes at approximately 84th Avenue in Denver to SH 14.
  • Interchange Upgrades- Upgrades 13 interchanges along I-25.
  • Express Bus- Express bus with 13 stations along I-25, US 34 and Harmony Road with service from Fort Collins and Greeley to downtown Denver and DIA.
  • Commuter Rail- Commuter rail service with nine stations connecting Fort Collins to Longmont using the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way, generally paralleling SH 119 then County Road 7 and tying into FasTracks North Metro line in Thornton, providing service to downtown Denver. Passengers may also connect to the FasTracks Northwest line in Longmont, which will travel to Boulder.
  • Commuter Bus- Commuter bus service with eight stations and stops along US 85 connecting Greeley to downtown Denver.
  • Congestion Management- Includes accommodations for ridesharing, carpools and vanpools along with additional bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition, signal timing, ramp metering on I-25, and signage will also be improved.

“Through strong partnerships with local agencies and the Federal Highway Administration, we have been able to make significant improvements to the North I-25 corridor in recent years,” said CDOT Region Transportation Director Johnny Olson.  “However, we know this multi-modal solution and the system quality of I-25 are essential to the future of transportation in northern Colorado. We are approaching the end of the environmental process and need input from the public before we prepare a Record of Decision and look for funding opportunities to move the solution into construction.”

During the 30-day comment period from August 19, 2011 through September 19, 2011, the FEIS can be viewed at 26 locations along the corridor and in Denver (list of locations attached).  In addition, CDOT will host three public hearings in September to allow members of the community to review and comment on the FEIS.  All hearings will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation and an opportunity for public comment beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The public hearings will be held at the following locations:

o   September 12, 2011: Southwest Weld County Building- 4209 Weld County Road 24 ½, Longmont

o   September 13, 2011: Longmont Public Library - 409 4th Avenue, Longmont

o   September 15, 2011: The Ranch (Budweiser Event Center)- 5290 Arena Circle, Loveland

Those who are unable to attend the public hearings are encouraged to submit written comments via the project website at http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/north-i-25-eis, by facsimile (303-721-0832) or by mail to: North I-25 Project Team, c/o Tom Anzia, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, 6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 600, Centennial, CO 80111.

Following the 30-day comment period and the public hearings, CDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will issue a Record of Decision (ROD), which is expected to take place in the fall of 2011. Due to funding limitations, the full Preferred Alternative will likely be constructed in phases over time. The ROD will  include the transportation improvements selected by CDOT and FHWA for the first phase of construction.

Updates about the study and other CDOT projects can be found on the CDOT website at www.coloradodot.info.

Final I-25 Public Review Locations