The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has officially approved its 10-Year Transportation Plan covering major projects over the next decade. The plan outlines details for more than 250 projects in various development stages across the state, approximately costing a combined $11.8 billion.
The department divided the costs across five regions alongside various allocations for state transportation initiatives. These regional categories – each covering critical highway and transit projects and their total combined costs – include:
- Central – $3.9 billion.
- Northeast – $2.7 billion.
- Southeast – $1.7 billion.
- Northwest – $1.3 billion.
- Southwest – $593 million.
- State transit – $60 million.
The 10-Year Plan establishes a comprehensive vision with clearly defined milestones needed to progressively reinforce and expand the state’s various transportation and transit system networks. Operating as a subset of the larger Statewide Transportation Plan, the document offers both short- and mid-term goals to guide priority projects from concept to completion.
These efforts typically prioritize initiatives that repair the state’s roadways, promote transportation safety and encourage sustainable increases in transportation options. The following are a selection of a few of the plan’s most impactful and prominent projects in the design or planning phases.
The state will invest a total of $658 million to support the Interstate 270 Corridor Improvements project across three phases. CDOT plans to replace critically deficient bridges and roadway structures throughout I-270, shoring up essential infrastructure. Some of these projects will include:
- Adding a managed lane in each direction.
- Replacing 12 bridges.
- Rebuilding the Vasquez Boulevard Interchange.
- Adding a pedestrian overpass bridge.
- Improving on- and off-movements at I-76.
- Building a pedestrian bridge over Burlington Ditch.
- Fixing sidewalk gaps.
CDOT will invest $318 million into the Federal Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiative. Plans include building side-running BRT infrastructure along an 18-mile corridor. Additional details call for stations, signalization, roadway components, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and ample lighting.
The fourth segment of the upcoming I-25 North Express Lanes project from Colorado Highway (CO) 7 to CO 66 will cost roughly $349.3 million to complete. Covering 14 miles, the project will involve improving highway capacity, reconstructing pavement and preserving, rehabilitating, reconstructing or rebuilding structures. The department will also improve intersections, install safety features and transit elements, improve resiliency and add or expand sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths.
The department will spend $315 million to improve I-25 North roadways between E-470 and n/o CO 7. The project calls for improving highway capacity, preserving or rehabilitating pavement, and replacing or rebuilding structures. Plans include adding or expanding shoulders, implementing safety features, transit elements and adding or expanding sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths.
Another $215 million will advance the Colorado Boulevard BRT project, consisting of new BRT infrastructure along a 7.5-mile stretch of the corridor. As part of the initiative, CDOT will build supporting pedestrian facilities, traffic signals and lighting to help deploy BRT service in the area.
Photo by Saroj Karki from Pexels
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