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, which was renamed Aerotropolis Parkway. 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 approved a resolution that allows the development of a $30 million interchange at Interstate 70 and Harvest Road in Aurora that enabled the project to move forward. The authority needed the Transportation Commission’s approval of a System Level Study to advance the project’s development, including financing. Funding will not come from the Colorado Department of Transportation other than some assistance with multi-modal operations.
Update: The project is in design, with work underway to obtain approvals on plans for the railroad crossing and utility relocations. City review of final plans is happening in 2023.
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.