225/Colfax/17^th Place Interchange (CDOT $1.1 million and DRCOG $11.3 million)
The city of Aurora was allocated $12.4 million in ARRA funds through CDOT and DRCOG toward Phases 1 and 2 of the I-225/Colfax/17^th Place Interchange improvement project.  The Colfax Interchange project is essential to improving traffic flow, safety and access to the adjacent Fitzsimons/Anschutz Medical Campus – a regional life sciences and medical hub.  As the main transportation link to this campus, the Colfax Interchange project not only will create construction-related jobs, but will assist long-term job growth as the campus and surrounding areas are built out.
 
To illustrate the demand created by the campus, it is important to recognize the following statistics: 

• The Colfax Interchange provides needed access for 40,000 workers, patients, students and visitors to the Fitzsimons/Anschutz Campus daily
• The interchange is currently serving approximately 3300 vehicles during the afternoon peak hour, well in excess of the existing design capacity
• The campus currently employs 16,000 workers, and is expected to grow to 44,000 employees at build out
• Currently, the existing level of service at the Colfax Interchange is rated “F” during peak hours.

By alleviating severe traffic congestion and creating direct access to the campus, this project will provide significant safety benefits to citizens in Aurora and the greater Metro Area.  In fact, the importance of this campus spans beyond this area to the entire Rocky Mountain Region, especially with the construction of the proposed new Veterans’ Administration Hospital.  Improving this vital transportation link to the Fitzsimons/Anschutz Campus will have a profound positive impact for commuters, patients and visitors alike.  Following final approval of spending authority from CDOT and the federal government, construction will begin.

In addition to ARRA funds, this project is utilizing federal highway dollars and contributions from the city of Aurora, CDOT and our partners on the Fitzsimons and Anschutz Medical Campus. These partners include The Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado Denver and the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority.   The sum of these funds will allow the city to complete Phases 1 and 2, or nearly half of the total project. The city of Aurora is actively seeking both ARRA and other funds to complete the final third phase of the project. However, completion of Phases 1 and 2 will provide immediate benefit to the area in terms of improved safety and alleviated traffic congestion.