Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The project website contains information about the project background and development schedule. CDOT hosted a public meeting in October 2023, and those meeting materials are available on the website as well. In December 2023, the project team is holding listening sessions in locations around the community. Please check the website for the schedule (under the Public Involvement tab on the webpage) for dates and times and come talk to the team. Community input is vital to creating a successful project. CDOT will be hosting another broad public meeting in February 2024 to provide an update on what they have heard from the community and what alternatives are being considered to improve I-270.
- No Action Alternative The No Action Alternative would maintain the existing highway configuration of two general purpose travel lanes in each direction. Bridges and pavement would continue to be repaired but underlying infrastructure deficiencies would remain.
- Three General Purpose Lanes This alternative would add one general purpose travel lane in each direction.
- Two General Purpose Lanes plus a Transit-Only Lane This alternative would add a new transit-only travel lane in each direction.
- Two General Purpose Lanes and an Express Lane Accommodating Transit This alternative would add a new travel lane in each direction. The new lane would be operated as an Express Lane. Buses, high-occupancy vehicles, and travelers who choose to pay a toll (including passenger vehicles, freight trucks) could use the Express Lane.
- Three General Purpose Lanes and an Express Lane Accommodating Transit This alternative would add two lanes in each direction: one general purpose lane and one Express Lane. Buses, high-occupancy vehicles, and freight trucks and other travelers who choose to pay a toll (including passenger vehicles, freight trucks) could use the Express Lane.
- Two General Purpose Lanes and Two New Express Lanes Accommodating Transit This alternative would add two lanes in each direction. The two new lanes would be operated as Express Lanes. Buses, high-occupancy vehicles, and travelers who choose to pay a toll (including passenger vehicles, freight trucks) could use the Express Lane.
- Two General Purpose Lanes with Increased Transit Operations and Bicycle and Pedestrian Enhancements This alternative would retain the existing highway configuration (i.e., no added highway capacity), with additional capital investments to prioritize transit on the corridor and improve the non-roadway bicycle and pedestrian facilities. CDOT received a letter from a group of agencies, interest groups, and local businesses asking CDOT to consider this alternative instead of increasing highway capacity. All alternatives except the No Action Alternative would repair or replace deficient infrastructure.
Express Lanes are new travel lanes built in addition to any existing general purpose lanes to provide drivers the choice of a more reliable trip by paying a toll or carpooling. Toll prices are set to manage traffic and have just the right number of vehicles in the lane to provide reliable, shorter travel time.
On some Express Lanes, tolls can change in price depending on the level of congestion. As traffic increases, the toll price goes up to make sure the lane always remains a free-flowing alternative for travelers. Conversely, the toll price will decrease when there is less traffic in the lane. Drivers will always be charged the amount on the overhead signage when they enter the Express Lanes.
For more information on Express Lanes, please visit www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes.
There is a lot of right of way (land owned by CDOT for the highway) in the I-270 corridor, and CDOT does not anticipate direct impacts to Sand Creek or other surface waters.
CDOT and FHWA have been engaging residents and businesses over the past three years and are planning an extensive outreach program for the EIS that is expected to employ various methods, such as public meetings, bus tours, stakeholder meetings, elected official meetings, and agency meetings. We plan to host and attend community events and meetings to develop community alliances and agency partnerships to share information and gather feedback. Information will be shared through many channels, such as in-person meetings, online meetings, telephone town halls, and through website, email, and printed and video materials.
CDOT will be out in the community throughout the environmental study process, listening to ideas for the corridor. After the initial “scoping” phase where CDOT and FHWA are collecting and reviewing data, coordinating with other agencies and interest groups, and seeking public input, the next phases include developing and evaluating alternatives, analyzing traffic and environmental data, and preparing a draft report. The information will be presented in a draft EIS, which will identify the preferred alternative for the project, present the environmental analysis, and identify and commit to mitigation measures to avoid or lessen community and environmental impacts. The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft EIS before a final EIS and record of decision (ROD) are published. The ROD notifies the public of the decision made and presents the reasons for that decision. Each step in this process involves coordination with stakeholders, the public, and state and federal agencies. After completing the environmental study, CDOT would design and implement I-270 corridor improvements, prioritizing replacement of the bridges that are in critically poor condition as a first phase.
There are many ways to provide input throughout the environmental review process. You can:
- Attend a public meeting to fill out a comment form and talk to project representatives.
- Visit the project website to stay up to date on the latest progress and events (codot.gov/projects/i270) and provide input via the comment form.
- Leave a message or request information on the project hotline (303-512-4270).
- Email or mail the project team at: [email protected] or CDOT Region 1, 2829 Howard Place, Denver, 80204..
- Contact the project’s Bilingual Community Liaison, Crystal Armendariz ([email protected] or 720 245 0528).
The best ways to stay informed are to visit www.codot.gov/projects/i270; attend future public events and meetings; request project presentations, updates or tours; send us an email at [email protected]; call the project hotline at 303-512-4270; and/or subscribe to the project email list to receive project updates and information about public meetings. The project team and CDOT’s Bilingual Community Liaison will be out in the community throughout the study process to listen to your ideas for the corridor and your community.