Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What road material will be used, asphalt or concrete? Concrete is extremely noisy. Why aren’t you considering rubberized asphalt?
Applying the same lifecycle cost analysis that is used across the state, concrete provides the best long-term solution. This interstate receives a significant amount of wear and tear and materials need to last and be cost effective.

Q. What noise mitigation are you including as part of the project? Will the project involve noise mitigation for the neighborhood residents?
Noise with this alignment was analyzed as part of the I-25 Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2004. What is being done with this project is consistent with the I-25 EA document. The projected traffic volumes and traffic noise modeling indicate that mitigation is not warranted.

Q. Is the project being designed/constructed in coordination with other nearby projects (such as the potential City for Champions downtown events center, and U.S. Olympic Museum, and the I-25/Fillmore interchange construction project)?
Yes. CDOT always considers other potential land uses and traffic generation in designing its projects. There is coordination between CDOT and the City taking place regarding any potential land use in and around the interchange. CDOT and the contractor teams are coordinating between the I-25/Cimarron and the I-25/Fillmore projects.

Q. Will the dips/bumps in the road (such as in the COSMIX concrete) be eliminated?
Yes, putting the highway in its ultimate alignment with this project will address those pavement issues. The project will also address those at Colorado Avenue. A smoother more comfortable driving surface will result from the complete reconstruction of I-25 between the Colorado Avenue Bridge and the Tejon Street Interchange.

Q. Will this project address the curves on the interstate north and south of the interchange?
Yes, one of the most significant project benefits is the softening of the curves between Colorado Avenue and Tejon Street.

Q.What other major road construction projects will be going on at the same time as this project?

I-25/Fillmore: There will be overlap of this project with the I-25/Cimarron Interchange project and close coordination between the two projects is taking place.
Westside Avenue Action Plan project (Manitou and Colorado Avenues): Utility relocation for this project is anticipated to start in late 2015/early 2016 as well, but it will have a different traffic pattern/alternate routes than the I-25/Cimarron project.
There may also be other City projects under construction simultaneously. CDOT will continue to work in close coordination with the City staff when projects overlap.

Q. What length of time is the interchange being designed for?
The interchange is designed to be a part of an ultimate interchange configuration that will accommodate 2035 projected traffic volumes. The ultimate configuration includes an interchange at U.S. 24 and 8th street, additional ramp improvements at U.S. 24 and I-25, and additional lanes on I-25. Until those additional improvements are constructed, the current interchange project will provide substantial interim improvements to the interchange.

When reconstructed, this interchange will perform better than it does today. The I-25 EA was completed first and CDOT is now 10 years into those reconstruction projects. The U.S. 24 EA (of which 8th St. is a part) is just now being completed. It will take time for that project to be funded and get underway. However, one of the additional elements proposed by the design-build contractor and accepted by CDOT as part of the I-25/Cimarron improvements is a new connection between 8^th Street to Cimarron Street that will greatly reduce the traffic at the 8^th Street/Cimarron Street intersection. This connector is anticipated to reduce traffic at this intersection by 20 percent on weekdays and 40 percent on weekends, pushing off the need for additional improvements at this location for several years.

Q. How is this project going to address the backups onto the interstate at Nevada/Tejon?
The I-25/Cimarron reconstruction project is creating a continuous auxiliary lane between the I-25 ramps at S. Nevada Ave./Tejon St. and the I-25 ramps at Cimarron St. to alleviate traffic backups.

Q. Will the project involve any temporary closures during construction?
Project stakeholders and the public have generally agreed that if closures will expedite construction they are acceptable as long as those closures and detours are well signed and well communicated and that closures don’t impact seasonal tourism. CDOT has incentivized the contractor to minimize construction duration and closures through the “Best Value” process of the design-build procurement.

Q. Why is the project relocating the Midland Trail and connection into America the Beautiful Park?
The project is relocating the crossing of I-25 consistent with the parks master plan and public desire to be integrated with the Fountain Creek system. The project is adding a bridge across Monument Creek to provide improved connectivity. For safety, pedestrians will pass through the interchange utilizing the trail system away from the flow of traffic. The result will be a better trail and pedestrian experience overall.

Q. How were the aesthetics treatments of the interchange developed?
The project involves numerous stakeholders that have met monthly since December 2013 to provide the project team input and guidance on aesthetics, landscaping and trail enhancements. In addition, there has been strong positive response from the public to the aesthetics plans and the enhancements to the creek, trails and recreational opportunities, and proposed greenways. Feedback from the public indicates support for the artistic nature of the panel design, acknowledging the creek fish habitat and vegetation.