The Denver Metro Badger

Federal, state agencies clear I-270 project for fall bridge work

Environmental approval puts the roughly six-mile reconstruction project on a fall 2026 construction track, starting with eight bridge replacements and a projected $307 million first phase.

Published Colorado

Federal and state transportation agencies have approved the environmental documents for the roughly six-mile I-270 reconstruction project between Interstate 25 and Interstate 70, with work on eight bridges expected to begin in fall 2026.

The Federal Highway Administration and Colorado Department of Transportation’s final environmental impact statement and record of decision allows final design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition and construction to proceed. The selected plan will rebuild two general-purpose lanes and add one express lane capable of accommodating transit in each direction.

The first phase, known as the Critical Bridges phase, will replace:

  • The eastbound and westbound I-270 bridges over the South Platte River.
  • The eastbound and westbound bridges over the Burlington Ditch.
  • The eastbound and westbound bridges over Brighton Boulevard and the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads.
  • The eastbound and westbound bridges over East 60th Avenue and the BNSF railroad.

The phase also includes portions of the I-270 mainline between those bridge groups. The project implementation plan says the segment between the Burlington Ditch and Brighton Boulevard bridges may also be included.

CDOT’s announcement says construction phasing is anticipated to begin in fall 2026. At the Colorado Transportation Commission’s Sept. 17 meeting, Executive Director Shoshana Lew said the bridge work was expected to begin roughly a month after the environmental documents were completed. The record does not establish a specific contract or notice-to-proceed date.

The implementation plan estimates the first phase at $307 million, including design, construction of the eight bridges, limited roadway work, environmental commitments and community enhancements. It estimates the second phase at $402 million and the third at $97 million, for a projected full-project cost of $806 million. The plan says the project could be completed within about five years after construction begins, subject to funding.

Later phases would replace the York Street bridge and the eastbound and westbound I-270 bridges over 56th Avenue, build the Vasquez Boulevard interchange and improve I-76 ramps. The third phase would include improvements near Sandcreek Drive, a pedestrian overpass and the Vasquez Boulevard bridge over Sand Creek.

Community commitments and air-quality monitoring

Air-quality monitoring is already operating at the I-270/Vasquez Boulevard interchange, Leyden Park and the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, according to CDOT’s community-enhancements information. Residents can view the data through the Love My Air app and website.

During construction, the project’s air-quality framework calls for continuous particulate-matter monitoring, public reporting, alerts as soon as possible after an exceedance and action plans focused particularly on disproportionately impacted communities. CDOT also plans to use dust and emissions controls required by its specifications and state regulations, the project’s air-quality technical report says.

CDOT says it will work with the Northeast Transportation Connections organization on outreach and a pilot mobility debit-card program for 50 residents. The cards could be used for transit passes and tolls. The agency also supports a proposed three-year Commerce City microtransit pilot during construction, subject to Regional Transportation District grant approval.

Other commitments include sidewalk, lighting, accessibility and trail improvements along Colorado 224 between U.S. 36 and U.S. 6; a pedestrian crossing over the Burlington Canal; and planning for multimodal improvements along East 60th Avenue. The plans also include bicycle and pedestrian facilities near East 56th Avenue, trail connections along the South Platte River and Sand Creek, wayfinding and a 10-foot bicycle and pedestrian overpass between East 56th Avenue and Quebec Street.

Environmental documents call for traffic-management plans, detours and advance notice to affected residents and businesses. CDOT says the Colorado 224 work is scheduled for 2027. The East 60th Avenue effort remains a planning grant rather than a completed construction project.

The commission’s separate approval of a $90 million redistribution of federal funds to its 10-Year Plan does not identify I-270 or the bridge phase, so it is not an announced cost or dedicated appropriation for the project.