On Monday, Feb. 9, the city of Aurora’s new Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-70 and Picadilly Road opened to all directions of vehicle traffic. By opening the DDI, the interchange project hit one of the final major milestones.
The new DDI at Picadilly Road and I-70 features enhanced safety measures that reduce risks to drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, including advanced signaling systems, wider lanes, improved lighting and a new bicycle and pedestrian path through the DDI.
While the interchange is now open and operational, various lanes in each direction of the DDI are intermittently closed as crews continue finishing work associated with temperature and weather-dependent activities. These remaining construction activities and periodic lane closures will continue into spring 2026, when the bike and pedestrian pathway will open to the public. Please visit AuroraGov.org/I-70Picadilly for updates.
In addition, the newly constructed Picadilly Road from East 19th Avenue to Smith Road will remain closed for several weeks for finishing work.
The project team celebrated substantial completion of the project In November with a ribbon cutting. Since then, crews completed various activities to prepare the interchange and open fully to traffic, including:
• Widening I-70 median and median barriers.
• Relocating utilities on the north end of Picadilly Road.
• Connecting 19th Avenue and driveway entrances.
• Installing all traffic signals and streetlights.
• Connecting Colfax Avenue and the frontage road.
• Installing a new 4-way, signalized intersection at Picadilly Road.
• Testing and smoothing all new concrete and asphalt paving.
• Placing all pavement markings.
The project kicked off in August 2023, but collaborative efforts among Aurora city leadership, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Adams County, the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority and the Federal Highway Administration began long before the start of construction.
In 2019, the city of Aurora received its full request of a $25 million federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration. This was the maximum amount permitted per project under the BUILD multimodal surface transportation grant program. The I-70 Picadilly Interchange Project was one of only six projects in the nation to receive this amount—a testament to how critical this improved connection point is to both the region and the country. The grant served as the funding catalyst needed to accelerate the start of construction for this long-planned strategic Infrastructure priority.
“By 2040, the Colorado Aerotropolis could see 74,000 new jobs, and the new Picadilly Road and I-70 interchange will serve as a vital corridor for accessing neighborhoods, job centers and the Denver International Airport,” said Mayor Mike Coffman.
For more information on the project, visit AuroraGov.org/I70Picadilly and check out this video on how to travel through the new DDI.
ABOUT THE I-70 PICADILLY INTERCHANGE PROJECT
With significant residential, commercial and industrial growth along the I-70 corridor, new measures are essential to enhance connectivity. The I-70 Picadilly Interchange Project will minimize out-of-direction travel for area residents and businesses. The new bicycle and pedestrian path through the DDI will also provide safe and accessible infrastructure for the northeast Denver metro area and will improve the safety and quality of life for non-motorized users.