CDOT’s Central 70 Project Will Continue to Move Forward

DENVER—CDOT today was advised that litigation has been filed in Federal District Court in Denver, challenging the January 2017 Record of Decision issued by the Federal Highway Administration, which concluded a 14-year I-70 East Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.

The Central 70 Project was developed after working closely with local neighborhoods, holding hundreds of public meetings, and analyzing more than 90 alternatives. The project will provide the first safety and mobility improvements to one of the region's most heavily traveled and congested highways in more than 50 years, while reconnecting communities with a 4-acre community park built over a lowered section of the interstate.

"CDOT is confident that our unprecedented community outreach process and our thorough technical analysis meet and exceed the standards set by the National Environmental Policy Act," said Central 70 Project Director Anthony DeVito.

"We believe this process, our analysis and this project will stand up under the toughest legal scrutiny."

In the Record of Decision issued by the FHWA, CDOT made 148 specific community commitments focused on local neighborhoods. Many of these commitments are being implemented right now, including major renovations to Swansea Elementary School. These commitments go well beyond similar projects in Colorado or elsewhere in the United States.

While this litigation proceeds to a resolution in the courts, CDOT will continue to work with residents, businesses and other stakeholders to implement the Department's commitments to the community—from providing workforce training to home improvements—as well as selecting a team to design and build the project.

About the Central 70 Project

The Central 70 Project will remove the 53-year old I-70 viaduct in central Denver, lower a section of I-70 below grade, and construct a 4-acre park over the interstate in the Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods. One new Express Lane in each direction will be added between Brighton Boulevard and Chambers Road.

CDOT plans to select a developer team for the $1.2 billion project in late summer and begin construction in 2018. For more information on the Central 70 Project, visit central70.codot.gov.