Project Update
Project Facts
- Location: 12.5 miles of C-470, from I-25 to Wadsworth Boulevard
- Cost: $276 million
- adding two westbound Express Lanes from I-25 to Colorado Boulevard, and adding one westbound Express Lane from Colorado Boulevard to Wadsworth Boulevard
- adding one eastbound Express Lane from just west of the South Platte River to I-25
- fully reconstructing a portion of the existing pavement
- adding auxiliary lanes
- improving portions of on- and off-ramps to current standards (including ramp metering where appropriate)
- realigning substandard curves
- making safety and operational improvements between I-25 and Quebec via direct-connect ramps from I-25 to the westbound C-470 Express Lanes
- widening existing bridges throughout the project area
- replacing the bridges over the South Platte River
- installing water-quality features where required
- installing noise barriers where required
- installing Intelligent Transportation Systems elements and tolling equipment
- adding grade separations for the multi-use trail at Quebec and Colorado
Express Lane Information
Traffic Alert
- Detour: Traffic will be able to access westbound C-470 at all times during the closure. Depending on traffic, this closure can add between 4 and 5 minutes to the motorists drive time. Please plan accordingly.
- What: Eastbound C-470 right lane closure under Santa Fe bridge from off-ramp to on-ramp to replace a permanent concrete panel.
- When: 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 until 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14.
C-470 Express Lanes between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard will open for testing. Drivers encouraged to try the new lanes for free prior to toll commencement in August 2020.
The C-470 Express Lanes between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard are expected to open for testing this weekend following final checks. Motorists will be able to use the new lanes for free until mid-August 2020 during the testing phase of the toll system.
Major construction is complete, and C-470 will now have improved safety and traffic flow. The project added two Express Lanes westbound from I-25 to Colorado Boulevard and one Express Lane westbound from Colorado Boulevard to Wadsworth Boulevard, and one Express Lane eastbound from west of the Platte River to I-25.
Crews expect to begin work to open the eastbound Express Lane tonight and should be fully open tomorrow morning. Work to open the westbound Express Lanes is scheduled to begin tomorrow night. All Express Lanes are expected to be open to traffic by this Sunday.
In addition to the new Express Lanes, the project reconstructed a portion of the existing pavement and added auxiliary lanes between interchanges, improved portions of on- and off-ramps, widened the existing bridges through the project area and replaced the bridges over the South Platte River, installed water-quality features and noise barriers, installed Intelligent Transportation Systems elements and tolling equipment, and added grade separations for the multi-use trail at Quebec St. and Colorado Blvd.
Once testing is complete in August, drivers will have the choice of taking the Express Lanes, which will be available 24 hours a day, for a faster, more reliable travel time in exchange for a toll. All travelers will have the choice of taking the general purpose lanes for free. To save money, drivers are encouraged to get an ExpressToll pass prior to toll commencement in August.
Tolls will range from $0.65 to $3.60 per toll point with an ExpressToll pass depending on the time of day.
See below for details on how to use the new C-470 Express Lanes:
- When tolling begins in August, drivers will be charged depending on how far they travel in the C-470 Express Lanes.
- C-470 Express Lanes will be free for all motorcycles, with no pass required.
- Free carpooling will not be available on these lanes.
