225/Colfax/17^th Place Interchange (CDOT $1.1 million and DRCOG $11.3 million)
View photos of the current construction.

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. Phase I construction began November 30.
 
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.

Project Details
Estimated construction cost: $43 million for all phases.
Funded by: Federal Highway Administration
Colorado Department of Transportation
City of Aurora
Denver Regional Council of Governments
Fitzsimons Partners

Designed by: Felsburg Holt & Ullevig

Project Description: The project is a multi phased endeavor to improve traffic flow on and off of I-225 at Colfax Avenue and to help reduce traffic demands and waits on Colfax Avenue and improve traffic flow into and out of the Fitzsimons/Anschutz Medical Campus. Currently the project is divided into three distinct phases with a total estimated construction cost of forty three million dollars.

Phase I of the project is scheduled to start construction in November of 2009 and a construction contract has been awarded to Concrete Works of Colorado. This initial project entails the widening of the southbound I-225 off ramp at Colfax Avenue and improvements to the southbound on ramp at Colfax Avenue. The construction contract has been awarded to Concrete Works of Colorado Inc., with work scheduled to begin in mid November. Funding for the project is a combination of sources including a $1.1 million dollar grant from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, earmarked federal funds, CDOT and the City of Aurora.

Phase II involves extending the southbound off ramp at Colfax Avenue further north on I-225, construction of the south half of the 17^th Avenue Bridge between I-225 and Fitzsimons Parkway and relocation of Potomac Street across Tollgate Creek. The project is funded with a $11.3 million in a FHWA ARRA grant through the DRCOG, contributions from CDOT, City of Aurora and the Fitzsimons Partners. The project went to bid October 30, 2009 with a scheduled bid opening of December 15, 2009. Construction is expected to begin in February of 2010 and extend approximately two years.

Phase III is the last phase of the project. Final plans and specifications are scheduled to be complete in February of 2010. This phase of the project entails completion of the north section of the 17^th Avenue Bridge between I-225 and Fitzsimons Parkway, Construction of a 17^th Avenue bridge over I-225, widening of the I-225 Bridge over Colfax and improvements to the northbound on and off ramps at Colfax Avenue. Funding for this portion of the project is being pursued and a TIGER grant has been applied for in an attempt to cover the majority of the construction cost.