I70/I-270 Direct Connect Ramps - I-70 East Record of Decision 2

About the Project

In January 2016, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) published the I-70 East Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation. Because of funding limitations, the Final EIS identified a Preferred Alternative to be implemented in multiple phases, the first two of which are shown below. Funding for additional phases has not yet been identified.

In January 2017, FHWA and CDOT prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) for Phase 1 of the Preferred Alternative, Central 70, which is currently under construction. FHWA and CDOT have initiated the preparation of a ROD for the second phase of the Preferred Alternative. The second phase will include the addition of ramps that will directly connect the Express Lanes on I-70 built as part of the Central 70 project to I-270, which are also called “direct connect ramps”. FHWA and CDOT will evaluate any changes since the Final EIS and will document the environmental analyses for the I-70/I-270 Direct Connect Ramps project (Project).

Once this Project is complete, vehicles traveling in the Express Lanes who want to exit onto I-270 will have a direct way to enter I-270. This will improve traffic flows and safety for all vehicles since vehicles from the I-70 Express Lanes will not have to weave across multiple lanes to enter I-270. I-270 is also going through an environmental process to evaluate improvements to that facility. If that interstate includes Express Lanes in the future, there would be even more benefits realized with a further reduction in multiple lane changes. For information on I-270, please visit that website.