The Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority was established to tackle critical regional transportation infrastructure projects needed to improve access across Aurora and Adams County. These improvements will provide much-needed additional connectivity to Denver International Airport with new interchanges on Interstate 70 and E-470.
A key element of the transportation network is a new interchange on I-70 along the proposed Harvest Road alignment. This project will serve as a critical piece of the roadway network that will convey people and commerce to Denver International Airport and the adjacent Colorado Aerotropolis, a developing residential, commercial and industrial community expected to create 170,000 new jobs.
The Colorado Transportation Commission recently approved a resolution that allows the development of a $30 million interchange at Interstate 70 and Harvest Road in Aurora to move forward.
The authority needed the Transportation Commission’s approval of a System Level Study to move forward with the project’s development, including financing. Funding will not come from the Colorado Department of Transportation other than some assistance with multi-modal operations.
Proposed project highlights and multi-modal features
The proposed project will build a new interchange at I-70 and Harvest Road, carrying Harvest Road over the interstate and using roundabouts for better traffic flow. The project also includes a detailed multi-modal plan with the following features:
• Three miles of a pedestrian/bike trail
• Ten additional miles of trails north of I-70 and south of the Denver International Airport
• Proposed bridge span to accommodate managed lanes, including express/HOV/transit lanes, on I-70
• Optimized transit operations and delivery to the area
• CDOT is committed to contributing up to $2 million for creating a shuttle service to RTD’s A-Line and ARTA is committed to matching CDOT’s contribution to enhance multi-modal options.
See the link below to learn more about plans for the interchange.