FAQ

What is CDOT doing to improve I-225 southbound?

CDOT converted the shoulder to a lane on I-225 southbound from Yosemite St. to I-25, less than a mile late 2017.  This was  done by restriping to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in the area.

What about the access restriction?

For the project to work, there is an access restriction for some traffic.  Traffic coming from DTC Blvd., E.Quincy Ave. and Yosemite St. that use to take I-25 from I-225 southbound before the restriping project in 2017 is not able to get on I-25 southbound.  This traffic is directed to I-25 northbound.   Other ways to get on I-25 southbound are Hampden to the north and Belleview and Orchard to the south.   

Why is there an access restriction?

This access restriction is necessary to prevent on-ramp raffic coming from DTC Blvd., E Quincy Ave. and Yosemite St. from weaving across I-225 southbound to take I-25 southbound. The length of merge is too short and would create safety problems and impede with mainline traffic flow on I-225 southbound.

There is a concrete barrier installed parallel to the right shoulder area of I-225 southbound where it merges with I-25.  This shoulder operates as a lane taking on-ramp traffic  from DTC Blvd., E Quincy Ave. and Yosemite St. to I-25 northbound. 

Will there be other restrictions or barriers as part of this project?

No. 

Why did CDOT re-stripe I-225 southbound?

The section of I-225 southbound that narrows in the DTC region is one of the worst bottlenecks in the Denver region with three-mile back-ups during rush-hours.  Converting the shoulder to a lane is reducing delays significantly, as planned. The project was done in a quick and cost efficient manner.   The cost was less than $1 million.

 How will this project impact local streets in Greenwood Village and the DTC?

We expected an increase in delays at Hampden and Belleview where traffic can access I-25. While there will be an increase in traffic at these interchanges, there will also be a decrease in traffic that currently uses local roads to bypass congestion on I-225 southbound.  Once delays are reduced on I-225 southbound as a result of the additional lane, we expect much of the cut-through traffic to return to I-225 southbound.    

CDOT has been working with local agencies to monitor these interchanges and will continue to do so during the life of the project to find solutions if significant increases in delays occur. 

What was the extent of your involvement with localities?

We worked on the design for over a year, involving collaboration with localities and two independent studies to verify that the project would reduce congestion on I-225 southbound.  We are monitoring and evaluating the project in coordination with localities to make adjustments when needed.

Why can't you spend the money necessary to widen I-225 southbound?

There are numerous competing priorities for limited funding.  The $65 million it would take to widen I-225 southbound and rebuild bridges is not available for this project.  The less than $1 million re-striping project is a reasonable solution we can provide in the interim to provide much needed congestion relief until funding becomes available to do more permanent improvements.