New Federal on-ramp to EB US 6 set to open on Feb. 4
DENVER – Crews on the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) US 6 Bridges Design Build Project are preparing to complete the diamond interchange at Federal Boulevard and US 6 by opening a brand new on-ramp to eastbound US 6. This traffic shift will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, with the new ramp set to open by 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4.
During these hours, the 5th Avenue on-ramp to eastbound US 6 will close permanently and efforts will begin to open the new ramp.
“We’re introducing a new ramp that represents a major milestone and benefit of the project,” said Kevin Sullivan, CDOT Project Director. “Drivers in this area have entered eastbound US 6 the same way for half a century. We are excited to retire the old 5th Avenue ramp and complete the diamond interchange at Federal Boulevard and US 6.”
Beginning the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 4, drivers looking to access eastbound US 6 will make their way to the traffic signal just south of the Federal Boulevard bridge over US 6, which will now include a 4-way intersection. This will allow drivers to turn east at the signal and either merge onto eastbound US 6, or continue to northbound or southbound I-25. The attached graphic shows the new alignment.
CDOT encourages drivers to pay close attention to this new traffic configuration, as it represents a significant change to their normal driving pattern.
The old 5th Avenue on-ramp has been in place for more than 50 years and made for an undesirable merge area for traffic accessing eastbound US 6. While the new ramp will eventually improve safety by increasing the distance between Federal Boulevard traffic merging onto US 6 and US 6 traffic exiting at I-25, those improvements won’t be in full effect for several months, after the completion of additional bridge structures and paving operations.
TRAVEL IMPACTS:
- Federal Boulevard traffic looking to access eastbound US 6 overnight: Drivers should use Alameda, 8th or Colfax avenues to travel east to downtown or to access I-25.
- Bryant Street traffic looking to access eastbound US 6 once the new ramp opens: Drivers should take 5th Avenue west to Federal Boulevard, and take Federal Boulevard north, staying in the right lane to turn right onto the new ramp for eastbound US 6.
PROJECT INFORMATION: The $98 million US 6 Bridges Design-Build Project will replace six obsolete bridges on US 6 between Knox Court and I-25, improve traffic movements in the I-25 and US 6 interchange and enhance driver safety by eliminating several traffic weave movements along US 6 between Federal Boulevard and I-25. Substantial project completion is planned for August 2015.
For updated project information, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/
During construction, commuters might want to consider alternative modes of transportation to help ease the impacts of the project. This could include using the Regional Transportation District’s West Rail Line or bus service or taking advantage of carpool/vanpool options. For information on RTD services, call 303-299-6000. For carpool and vanpool information, call 303-458-7665.
To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/
