I-70/Kipling Interchange Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study
About the Study
In 2013, CDOT completed a detailed transportation study of the I-70 and Kipling Street interchange. The study provided a plan for future improvements to reduce congestion, optimize operations, improve safety, and accommodate multimodal connections at the I-70 and Kipling Street interchange.
Thanks to the participation of the community, the project team received great feedback at two public meetings and during close coordination with local agency representatives and stakeholders. Following an extensive screening process of over 35 alternatives, four interchange configuration alternatives and the no action alternative (for comparison) will move forward into a subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study.
However, only two configurations are being recommended from this study:
- Single Point Urban Interchange; and
- Traditional Diamond Interchange.
Details of the alternatives evaluation, study recommendations and potential early action improvements can be found in the final study report.
The subsequent NEPA study will include additional public involvement before a preferred alternative is identified. Comments are welcome for online submission. All comments received will be considered during the NEPA study.
Next Steps
This study provides the framework for the long-term implementation of interchange improvements. Additional study, consistent with NEPA, is necessary before improvements can be implemented. The NEPA study will move forward using the information and recommendations from the recently completed study.
Separate project phases for elements of the interchange reconstruction may be implemented as funding is identified. Next steps include:
- Secure necessary funding to move projects forward into the NEPA process;
- Complete NEPA analyses of interchange alternative or phased project elements;
- Complete design;
- Obtain right-of-way; and
- Complete construction.
The environmental process for the overall interchange is expected to take 12 to 24 months. Once funding is available, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction could take 18 to 36 months or more, depending on funding availability and project phasing.
The long-range plan has identified $32.6 million for interchange reconstruction. While this amount (after adjusting for inflation) falls short of the full estimated cost, continuing with the necessary environmental and design work is important to position the project for funding as it becomes available.
Study Overview
The I-70/Kipling interchange is located in the city limits of Wheat Ridge in Jefferson County. The current interchange was constructed in 1967 with this section of I-70 as a diamond interchange with two bridge structures on I-70 over Kipling Street (SH 391) and frontage roads serving properties north and south of the freeway. The northern terminus of SH 391 is at the North Frontage Road, immediately north of the interchange.
CDOT conducted a Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study to provide an understanding of the existing conditions of the I-70/Kipling interchange and develop a range of improvements to reduce congestion and improve operational performance and safety at the interchange. The study evaluated the existing and future conditions of the interchange, while considering future surrounding development and community plans.
Along Kipling Street (SH 391), the physical constraints of the lanes under the I-70 bridge and adjacent frontage road signal spacing degrade the traffic operations through the interchange area. The traffic movements on and off I-70 at Kipling Street contribute to recurring mainline freeway congestion.
The objective in pursuing this study was to work with stakeholders to analyze and develop a range of short- and long-term improvements to reduce congestion and improve operational performance and safety at the interchange. A Technical Team, composed of staff from the local communities of Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Jefferson County, and agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and Regional Transportation District (RTD), provided critical technical input to CDOT throughout the study and at key milestones in the alternatives evaluation process.
Key elements of this study were to:
- Identify the vision for the I-70/Kipling Interchange
- Complete the study in accordance with the FHWA Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) process. This included:
- Public outreach
- Direct involvement with local governments and special interest groups within the interchange area
- Coordination with State and Federal resource agencies
- Documentation of study process, findings, and recommendations to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards, so information developed in this study could be appended or referenced in a final NEPA document
- Completing the PEL documentation for FHWA concurrence
- Identify existing and future problem areas surrounding the interchange
- Identify issues within the interchange area of importance to each respective corridor jurisdiction
- Establish a priority list for planned short- and long-term improvements
- Estimate cost of improvements
- Recommend phased interchange improvements to:
- Optimize interchange operations
- Reduce congestion
- Improve safety
Study Reccomendations
Following an extensive screening process of over 35 alternatives, four interchange configuration alternatives and the no action alternative (for comparison) will move forward into a subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study. However, only two configurations are being recommended from this study: Single Point Urban Interchange and Traditional Diamond Interchange. Graphics of these two recommended alternatives can be found below. For additional details, please click here to view the Final Planning and Environmental Linkages Report July 2013.
Single Point Urban Interchange
Traditional Diamond Interchange
What is Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL)?
The PEL Study can lead to a seamless decision-making process that:
- Minimizes duplication of effort,
- Promotes efficient and cost-effective solutions and environmental stewardship, and
- Reduces delays in project implementation.
Click here for more information regarding CDOT’s Planning & Environmental Linkages Program.
Public Participation
Broad Public Outreach: The general public was actively engaged, ensuring meaningful input was provided on the goals and objectives, alternative, and priorities for the phasing of recommended improvements. Two interactive public meetings were held:
- Public Meeting #1 was held on April 25, 2012 to educate the public on the PEL process, present the existing conditions of the interchange, and to collect input on interchange issues and problem areas. For a summary of comments received at this meeting, click here.
- Public Meeting #2 was held on Dec. 4, 2012 for the public to provide input on the alternatives recommended to move forward following Level 2 screening. For a summary of comments received at this meeting, click here
A final project update postcard was distributed to the project mailing list in early August 2014. View postcard.
Technical Team: The Technical Team (TT) met frequently with CDOT to provide technical input as the PEL study progresses. The TT included staff from the local communities, state and federal agencies, and other regional partners. The members of the TT kept their respective elected officials updated and served as the primary connection with their communities or organizations.
- Visioning Workshop: At the start of the project, an interactive Visioning Workshop was held with the TT members to shape the goals and desired outcomes of the I-70/Kipling interchange projects, which helped to inform the development and screening of alternatives.
Focused Community Groups: During the alternatives development and evaluation process, the project team met with focused community groups representing stakeholders directly affected by the interchange existing conditions and potential improvement alternatives. These groups helped the project team identify potential impacts and discuss possible resolution techniques.
- The first round of Community Focus Groups were held in early August 2012, and consisted of meetings with a Residential group, a Business group and a Multimodal Travel group. Focus group members reviewed proposed improvement alternatives and discussed likely impacts of improvements.
- The second round of Community Focus Group meetings were held in mid November 2012 and consisted of meetings with a Residential group, a Business group and a Multimodal Travel group. In addition, two meetings were held with area emergency service providers. Meeting attendees provided feedback regarding the alternatives recommended to move forward following Level 2 screening.
