Gov. Hickenlooper Leads Groundbreaking for I-25 North Express Lanes

NORTHERN COLORADO—Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper today led a groundbreaking ceremony for the I-25 North Express Lanes: Johnstown to Fort Collins project, kicking into a gear a project to improve travel reliability and safer roads in northern Colorado.

Gov. John Hickenlooper broke ground on the I-25 North Express Lanes project Monday. He was joined with Sen. Michael Bennet and many local, state and federal officials who helped make this project a reality.

The project will increase capacity by adding an Express Lane in both directions, replacing four aging bridges and widening four others. The project also includes multimodal, bus service, trail, pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

Local partners and elected officials have been heavily involved in the planning, implementation and funding of this critical project. Joining Gov. Hickenlooper and CDOT today were members of the I-25 Coalition, including representatives who helped fund the project from Larimer and Weld counties, Berthoud, Fort Collins, Johnstown, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor and the Centerra Metropolitan District.

"This project is a great example of local jurisdictions partnering with the state and federal agencies to ensure better mobility options are available faster to our northern drivers and residents," said Gov. Hickenlooper. "I couldn't be more proud to live in a state where we solve our traffic problems together."

Colorado is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. To provide reliable travel options for this expanding economy, CDOT is building a network of Express Lanes along the busiest parts of interstates 25 and 70. Already this summer, Gov. Hickenlooper led groundbreaking ceremonies for two other major Express Lanes projects—Central 70 and the I-25 South Gap project. Today marks the third.

"We're excited to be putting shovels in the ground on this vital multi-modal transportation project," said CDOT's Northeastern Colorado Transportation Director Johnny Olson. "We couldn't do it without our partners. We also can't do it without the public's help. Please watch for our crews and drive safely as they work hard to deliver this project."

Construction Update

Construction on the I-25 North Express Lanes will primarily take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Two lanes of travel will remain open during the day to ensure travel reliability. Interchange construction may result in detours and impacts, but lane closures will typically occur between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., when travel volumes are lower. The entire $300 million-plus project is expected to be completed in 2021.

Construction began Sunday night with the permanent closure of the east frontage road from the Budweiser Events Center to Westgate Drive, just south of Colorado Highway 392. While most of the current work will be performed outside the roadway, there will be a need for some nighttime lane closures. Work in this area is expected to extend through 2019.