North I-25 Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) Project

Photo 13

Study Timeline: November 2011 to Fall 2013

CDOT conducted a study to improve conditions on Interstate 25 (I-25) from US 36 to Colorado Highway 7 (CO  7). The study evaluated existing and future operating conditions of the interstate. This study resulted in a Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) Report that identified trouble spots and a range of improvement alternatives to reduce congestion and improve safety.  This study built upon improvements in the North I-25 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the planned interim managed lanes project that will extend the tolled express lanes north to 120th Avenue.

The section of I-25 between US 36 and CO 7 is one of the most congested stretches of interstate in the Denver Metro Area. This north-south interstate currently provides three travel lanes in each direction. According to CDOT data, the average daily traffic along this stretch of I-25 is as high as 174,000 vehicles.

Throughout the study, CDOT worked closely with the local corridor communities to analyze and develop a range of improvements to reduce congestion and improve operational performance and safety. Two committees; an Executive Committee of elected officials or senior-level staff from the affected jurisdictions and oversight agencies, and a Technical Advisory Committee, composed of technical staff from the jurisdictions, agencies and regional partners such as DRCOG and RTD have provided critical input to CDOT throughout the study and at key milestones for recommendations.

The goals of this study:

  • Identify the vision of jurisdictions in the corridor.
  • Complete the study in accordance with the FHWA Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) process. This will include:
    • Public Outreach
    • Direct involvement with local governments and special interest groups within the study area
    • Coordination with State and Federal Resource agencies
    • Documentation of study process, findings and recommendations to NEPA standards so information developed in this study can be appended or referenced in a final NEPA document
    • Completing the PEL documentation for FHWA concurrence
  • Identify existing and future problem areas in the corridor from a congestion, operational, and safety perspective.
    • Identify each community’s corridor issues to
    • Establish a priority list for planned improvements
    • Estimate cost of improvements
  • Recommend a set of phased improvements to:
    • Decrease congestion and improve travel time
    • Improve safety
    • Enhance and expand multi-modal travel opportunities