I-25: Speer & 23rd Bridge & Interchange Project | Study Phase
Open now through April 22, 2024
About the Study
This project will replace the bridges at Speer Boulevard and 23rd Avenue over Interstate 25 in Denver. Beyond this core focus of the project, CDOT is assessing the needs and opportunities to include additional improvements to the interchange system and how to support broader goals for the I-25 mainline and those of the surrounding community.
This is the first project resulting from the I-25 Central Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study, which was completed in 2019. This project is using details from existing conditions and proposed alternatives from the I-25 Central PEL study to develop an effective solution that not only remedies current problems, but will align with a future vision for the I-25 corridor and the surrounding area and community.
Note: The crossings do not provide adequate vertical clearance over I-25 and have experienced multiple vehicular impacts resulting in damaged girders and exposed primary reinforcing.
Project Area
Study Schedule
- 2023: Data collection and preliminary alternatives development
- Early 2024: Purpose and need developed, and initial screening
- Mid-2024: Alternative refinement and secondary screening
- Late 2024 to 2025: NEPA Environmental Analysis (EA) and documentation, then start of the preliminary design
- 2026 and Beyond: Identify construction delivery method, identify construction funds, and finish preliminary design
We have convened our project management and technical teams, including the City and County of Denver, to ensure good communication and collaboration on the project. We developed the logical termini (endpoints of the project), our data collection methodologies and the draft purpose and need statement (which is a requirement for the Federal Highway Administration).
The project team will finalize the purpose and need statement, after the April 2024 Public Meeting, as well as the alternatives that this project will consider. Those alternatives will then be evaluated to understand how each alternative performs regarding meeting the purpose and need, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, safety, operations, community and environmental impacts and costs of the project.
Identify Corridor Needs (Data Collection and Analysis)
Existing conditions data, such as the condition of the highway and bridges or the locations of rail, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and transit, were collected during the I-25 Central PEL. Supplemental data has been collected for this project, which includes environmental resource information and traffic and safety data. This information helped refine the needs of the corridor and the development of the purpose and need.
Alternatives Refinement and Evaluation
Building on the recommended alternatives from the PEL, alternatives will be refined according to the identified needs and evaluated to determine the preferred alternative for the project.
Environmental Analysis and Documentation (NEPA)
Once a preferred alternative is identified, it will be analyzed for the potential to cause environmental and human effects. These effects will be documented through the NEPA process.
Public and Stakeholder Involvement
The project is working with community members and stakeholders to ensure that community interests and concerns are understood and linked to project decision-making. Engagement activities will occur through the duration of the project and will include:
- Community-based Stakeholder Group
- Close communication with the City of Denver
- Virtual and in-person activities
- Public meetings
- E-notification updates (Sign up in the "Stay Informed" section)
Core Outcome of the Project:
- Replace structurally-deficient and low-clearance bridges at 23rd Avenue and Speer Boulevard
Other Considerations:
- Reconfigure interchanges at Speer Boulevard and 23rd Avenue
- Improve pedestrian and bike safety, and cross-connectivity over I-25
- Improve vehicular safety and operation on I-25
