CO 7 (Arapahoe Road) Environmental Assessment

Study Complete

About the Project

Colorado Highway 7, also known as Arapahoe Road, between Cherryvale Road and 75th Street is a major transportation corridor which serves the cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, and Erie as well as Boulder County. This corridor has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years and motorists are encountering steadily increasing congestion.

Currently, this section of CO 7 is a two-lane road with minimal to no shoulder and minimal transit facilities.

As a result, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) of this corridor to determine possible transportation alternatives. The EA began in March 2004 and the decision document also known as the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on October 28, 2008

CDOT and FHWA worked closely with the City and County of Boulder has well as other surrounding areas. Public input is also a vital element in the process.

Study Schedule

  • Scoping - Spring 2004
  • Alternative Analysis - Spring 2004 - Summer 2004
  • 1st Open House - Presentation of Alternatives - June 2004
  • 2nd Open House - Presentation of Preferred Alternative(s) - November 2004
  • Environmental Analysis - 2005 - 2006
  • Environmental Assessment Document (30-day review and comment) - June 23, 2008 to July 25, 2008
  • Public Hearing - July 8, 2008
  • NEPA Decision Document - October 28, 2008

Project History

Prior to the Environmental Assessment (EA), Boulder County identified SH 7 as a priority transportation corridor in the Consortium of Cities Transportation Study, completed in 1998. As part of the study, preferred improvements were identified. As a result, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiated an Improvement Assessment Study to evaluate those transportation alternatives.

The results of the Improvement Assessment study led to two main decisions:

  1. Reconstruct the 75th Street and SH 7 intersection. Construction was completed in November 2006
  2. Perform the Environmental Assessment (EA) to address transportation alternatives for the remainder of the corridor between Cherryvale and 75th Street