Construction started in May 2026 on this project, with anticipated completion by July 2027.

Major travel impacts and construction updates will continue to be posted on this page throughout construction. Variable message signs are placed in the area of construction to provide updates on construction.

During construction, the lanes on South Gartrell Road from East Dry Creek Road and South Aurora Parkway will shift to the south side of the bridge and narrow, and the shoulders on both sides of Gartrell will be closed.

The lane shifts will remain in place for most of the duration of the project. Please use caution and slow down through the construction zone.

Upcoming Impacts

Bridge beam installation is scheduled to start Nov. 17, which will result in traffic impacts. View the map.

There will be a full closure of Gartrell Road over E-470 from Aurora Parkway to Dry Creek Road during evening and overnight hours only from Tuesday, Nov. 17, to Thursday, Nov. 19. Detours will be in place, using Arapahoe Road and Aurora Parkway as access routes to Gartrell Road.

While this work is underway, E-470 will be closed in one direction at a time at Gartrell Road during evening and overnight hours, with a detour in place over the interchange. 

No exits will be available at the E-470 and Gartrell Road interchange during this work. Drivers should use Smoky Hill Road as the alternate route to access destinations normally reached via the Gartrell Road exits. Detour signage will be posted. As part of this work, tolls at the Gartrell Road interchange will be waived during the closures.

Project Background and Description

As an access point to E-470 for southeast Aurora, Gartrell Road is a critical transportation corridor in Aurora. As traffic volumes through the Gartrell Road and E-470 interchange have increased through the years, so has the need for capacity improvements.

To address this need, the city—along with the E-470 Public Highway Authority and the South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority—will start construction in 2026 on the expansion of the Gartrell Road bridge over E-470 to improve mobility for all types of travelers through this interchange.

The project will expand the existing two-lane bridge to a four-lane section with turn lanes, and will include multimodal improvements and new traffic signals.

The city conducted community outreach during the design phase of this project. Visit EngageAurora.org/Gartrell to find out more.

Project Funding

The South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority (SARIA) is providing 80% of the construction funding for this $10.8 million project, with the E-470 Public Highway Authority contributing the remaining 20% of funding.

Project Contact

Zach Hribar, Public Works Senior Engineer
303.739.7876 or [email protected]