Website updated: January 19, 2017

Welcome to the I-70 East Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) project website! En Español – La página de internet del IIA de la I-70 Este está en línea en Español
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Reports
Reports - Record of Decision (ROD)
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Read the latest Online Notice
Looking for information about the Purchase and Relocation (ROW) process - click here

Welcome to the I-70 East Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) project website!

RECORD OF DECISION (ROD) COMPLETED - This ROD is the final step in the NEPA process for the I-70 East Project: Reports
COVER PARK DESIGN - See the updated Cover Park Design on the aerial view Visual Simulation: Alternatives
VISUALIZE Phase 1 of the Preferred Alternative with the Updated Cover Park Design. Explore the Partial Cover Lowered Alternative in 3d with animated video and stills. See Visualization and Animation
CHANGING LANES - Preserving Community in the I-70 East Corridor. A documentary covering the history of I-70 East and its relationship to the Elyria and Swansea and Globeville Neighborhoods. See Project Updates
NEWSLETTER - Read the November/December 2016 Central 70 Connector, a bimonthly community update on the future reconstruction of the I-70 East corridor. See Newsletters
New Community Office Location - opens November 8 - see the Project Updates.
'DUCT-WORK EVENT: A Celebration of the I-70 Viaduct - See Photos - Local urban artists have transformed the viaduct into a work of art! See Project Updates
NEWS RELEASE - Local Hire Program and New Funding for Job Training: CDOT will provide training and set hiring goals to enable hundreds of local residents to work on the reconstruction of the I-70 corridor ... see Project Updates
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP - View the Meeting Summary for the April 7, 2016 Swansea Community Cover and Highway Aesthetics Workshop. See Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC HEARINGS - View Meeting Materials and Presentation from the February 2016 Public Hearings. See Meeting Minutes
I-70 EIS Project - The I-70 Viaduct, 46th Avenue, and the RR Bridge
I-70 EIS Project - The I-70 Viaduct
I-70 EIS Project - The I-70 Viaduct
I-70 EIS Project - I-70 Traffic
I-70 EIS Project - Community Meetings
I-70 EIS Project - Community Meetings
I-70 EIS Project - Community Meetings
I-70 EIS Project - Swansea Elementary
I-70 EIS Project - Swansea Elementary
I-70 East EIS Project Area - Aerial Photo of the I-70 Corridor
I-70 East EIS Project Area - Deteriorating Viaduct Light Pole
I-70 East EIS Project Area - Aerial Photo of the I-70 Corridor

Record of Decision (ROD) Document

Record of Decision (ROD) Completed

The I-70 East Record of Decision (ROD) has been completed. A copy of the ROD is available on the Reports page.

Record of Decision (ROD) document (cover thumbnail)

This ROD is the final step in the NEPA process for the I-70 East Project. The ROD explains the decision, identifies the alternatives considered, and outlines what actions CDOT will take to mitigate potential impacts of the project.

The ROD provides final approval for the first phase project (the Central 70 Project) to move forward to construction.

More info: Reports »

Project FAQs

What will and will not the I-70 East/Central 70 project do? Read the I-70 East/Central 70 Project FAQs.

Project Delivery Information

Click here for Project Delivery information.

Project Snapshot

I-70 East EIS Project Snapshot - January 2016

January 2016

Your Input is an important part of the EIS process.

Your input is an important part of the EIS process.

Use our online Feedback Form to let us know what you think »

Need to contact the project team?

Contact Us »

Central 70 Project

Future Information on the Central 70 Project

With the completion of the NEPA process, the Project moves to the next phase. All future updates on the project can be found on CDOT's Central 70 website at: central70.codot.gov

More info »

Phase 1 Construction (the Central 70 Project)

The Central 70 name is intended to distinguish the Phase 1 construction project from the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Read more: Alternatives

More info »

Central 70 Connector

New bimonthly community update on the future reconstruction of the I-70 East corridor.

Nov/Dec 2016 Central 70 Connector Newsletter

November/December 2016 Central 70 Connector newsletter (thumbnail of newsletter)

View online »

What is CDOT's Plan for Drainage for the Partial Cover Lowered Alternative?

The design of the Partial Cover Lowered Alternative requires a comprehensive and independent drainage system to address water from two sources. Read the Drainage Fact Sheet.

I-70 East Partial Cover Lowered Alternative Drainage Fact Sheet

What would moving the interstate mean to the local street network?

Impacts to local streets is one of the primary reasons CDOT determined that rerouting I-70 is not a reasonable alternative. Up to 75,000 vehicles per day would travel 46th Ave (Colorado Boulevard-like volumes). The adjacent street network would see huge volume increases as well, as shown in the map:

Local Traffic Impacts of Rerouting I-70 East Map

For a full list of reasons this option was screened out through the study process see: Alternative Analysis Technical Report

Visualization and Animation - Visualize the Central 70 Project

Visualize Phase 1 of the Preferred Alternative

Explore the Partial Cover Lowered Alternative with the updated Cover Park Design in 3d with animated video: Visualization & Animation

See more »

Meeting Notices

Community Leaders Coordination Meeting

Temporarily Canceled

until Jan 2017

More info »

Meeting Minutes

April 7, 2016 Swansea Community Cover and Highway Aesthetics Workshopsummary:

April 7, 2016 Swansea Cover and Highway Aesthetics Community Workshop (thumbnail of meeting summary)

View online »

February 1, 2 and 3, 2016 Public Hearingsmeeting materials, presentation and summaries:

February 1, 2 and 3, 2016 Public Hearings (thumbnail of meeting materials)

View online »

Media Advisory

Read the latest CDOT media advisory: Media

Project Updates

Record of Decision (ROD) Completed

This Record of Decision (ROD) is the final step in the NEPA process for the I-70 East Project. The ROD explains the decision, identifies the alternatives considered (including the environmentally preferred alternative), and outlines what actions CDOT will take to mitigate potential impacts of the project. The ROD is a legal and binding document that provides final approval for the first phase project to move forward to construction.

The first phase project (the Central 70 Project) includes improvements to an approximately 10-mile stretch of I-70 East from I-25 to Chambers Road, adding one new tolled express lane in each direction, removing the aging 50+-year-old viaduct, lowering the highway between Brighton Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard, and placing a four-acre cover over a portion of the lowered highway. All mitigation commitments listed in the ROD must be funded and implemented as part of the Project.

Record of Decision (ROD) Document for the I-70 East EIS/Central 70 Project (thumbnail of cover)

View Record of Decision (ROD) Document

View More Information

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What Improvements Will Be Built?

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Is the ROD a binding document?

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What community commitments will be implemented as part of the project?

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What relationship does the recent air quality conformity determination have to the ROD?

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Future Information on the Central 70 Project

More information: Reports

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Future Information on the Central 70 Project

With the completion of the NEPA process, the Project moves to the next phase. All future updates on the project can be found on CDOT's Central 70 website at central70.codot.gov. Project updates will no longer be added to the www.i-70east.com website, however historical information will remain on the site.

Future email updates will be sent from central70info@state.co.us. Please send an email to central70info@state.co.us to receive updates or ask questions about the project. If you are already receiving email updates on the Project, it is not necessary to sign up again.

Visit central70.codot.gov

Email central70info@state.co.us

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CHANGING LANES
Preserving Community in the I-70 East Corridor

CDOT has funded the creation of a documentary covering the history of I-70 East and its relationship to the Elyria and Swansea and Globeville Neighborhoods.

The full documentary is available online!

Click to view:

- Full Documentary (29:01 min)

- Preview Clip (02:26 min)


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Schedule Update

As the I-70 project enters the final stages, several important milestones remain. The next critical step is for the Federal Highway Administration to issue a Record of Decision (ROD), which concludes the 13-year environmental study process. The ROD is now scheduled to be signed in winter 2017. This new schedule allows CDOT additional time to address comments received on the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The timing for selecting a contractor and beginning construction will be moved out as well to follow the revised ROD timing. Construction is expected to begin in 2018. Click for the latest schedule update.

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New Community Office Location

The I-70 East/Central 70 Project and Right-of-Way Office is moving to a new location along 46th Avenue:

The new office will open on
November 8, 2016.

3600 East 46th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
(view map)

(former location of Anderson Drilling)

The Right-of-Way team will be onsite and available to provide property-related information and answer your questions at the new office. For more information on the schedule and staff availability see: I-70 East/Central 70 Project and Right-of-Way Office

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Community Leaders Temporarily Canceled

The project team has temporarily canceled the first and third Wednesday extended evening hours at the I-70 East/Central 70 community office. Evening hours will be started again after the first of the year. In the meantime, please contact us with any questions or requests for information:

303.757.9413 (project hotline)

contactus@i-70east.com

central70info@state.co.us

More information: Meeting Notices

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I-70 Viaduct Painting Project

'duct-work Event: A Celebration of the I-70 Viaduct

The aging, unsightly I-70 viaduct spanning from Brighton Boulevard to Colorado Boulevard will be coming down ... but not quite yet. As part of the I-70 East/Central 70 Project, CDOT is proposing to demolish the viaduct and lower this portion of the interstate below ground. Until then, there is plenty of time to celebrate, mourn, discuss and activate this hidden landmark.

Flyer: 'duct-work Event: A  Celebration of the I-70 Viaduct (Saturday, October 1, 2016) (thumbnail) Denver Arts and Venues, together with local sponsors, provided funding for a group of local urban artists to paint murals under the I-70 viaduct between Brighton Boulevard and York Street. From September 27 through October 1, the 'duct-work event transformed the dark and shadowy viaduct into a work of art for the remaining years before its demolition.

The community was invited to see the transformation and join in the fun on October 1, 2016. The artists were on site to complete their work while hundreds of visitors stopped by to watch the transformation take place. Local vendors chatted with community members and offered their own art projects. Music filled the air as the once dark and dingy I-70 viaduct became a gallery of beautiful street art for the 8,500 vehicles who pass through the area each day. Kids even got a chance to practice their urban art skills on a wall set aside just for them.

The art will be available for the community to enjoy until the viaduct is demolished for the construction of the I-70 East/Central 70 Project.

View Map, Artist Gallery Guide & More Info

View News Coverage

View Photos of the Event

Photos of Mural Artwork under the I-70 viaduct - 'duct-work Event (thumbnail images)

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Media: News Release: CDOT Announces Job Training and Local Hiring Goals for Central 70 Project (June 22, 2016) (thumbnail)

Local Hire Program and New Funding for Job Training

CDOT will provide training and set hiring goals to enable hundreds of local residents to work on the reconstruction of the I-70 corridor from Brighton Boulevard to Chambers Road, an unprecedented workforce development program supported, in part, by a recently announced $400,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Read the CDOT news release (June 22, 2016)

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CDOT Project Team to be in Community

I-70 East EIS / Central 70 Team Member ID Card - project team members will have project identification cards like the one shown here As part of the I-70 East/Central 70 project, members of the project team will be in the community performing a variety of field survey functions. They will be easily recognizable by the I-70 East project identification tags they will be wearing. They will be using various types of surveying and monitoring equipment to identify the location of utilities and other notable land features.

If you have any questions or in the event you believe that any I-70 East project personnel inadvertently entered property other than the public right-of-way, please notify Lee Lovell at Atkins at 720.475.7090. Please note that any concurrent activities by the personnel of the public utility companies are beyond the control of I-70 East project team.

Make sure you have the right information about your property and CDOT

CDOT has been notified by concerned residents that individuals have been going door-to-door in the neighborhood with materials on the I-70 East/Central 70 project. If you have any questions on whether or not the person approaching you is from CDOT, please ask them for their project identification tags. Please note that the badges now include both the I-70 East and Central 70 logos.

If you have questions about your property and the CDOT process, please contact Tawana Kelly, Real Estate Specialist, at 303.757.9846 or tawana.kelly@state.co.us.

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Property Acquisitions

CDOT began the acquisition of properties for the I-70 East project in the fall of 2013. The residential properties in this first phase have now been acquired and the occupants have been relocated into permanent replacement housing. In addition, each property has been cleared of asbestos and any hazardous materials. For the safety of residents, we will soon begin demolition of these residential properties. At any given time, there will be several residences in various states of demolition.

If you have any questions or concerns about these demolitions, please call 303.757.9413 and leave a message.

More information: Purchase & Relocation (ROW)

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I-70 East Corridor Project: Creating a Better Future

This video features the structural, safety and congestion challenges the I-70 East Corridor Project currently faces between Brighton Boulevard and Tower Road in Denver, Colorado. It presents a solution developed by CDOT and the community.

http://youtu.be/V6yJddTX19M

Let's create a better future.

Your input is essential!