North I-25 EIS

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), have initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and evaluate multi-modal transportation improvements along approximately 70 miles of the I-25 corridor from the Fort Collins-Wellington area to Denver. The EIS will address regional and inter-regional movement of people, goods and services along the I-25 corridor. Click here to view a map of the study area.

Preferred Alternative Identified

Over the past year, CDOT has been working closely with FHWA, FTA and local agencies to identify a preferred alternative.  With guidance for public comments submitted during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and an extensive collaborative effort, a preferred alternative has been identified which will include the following elements:

• General Purpose Lanes – one new general purpose lane in each direction of I-25 between SH 66 and SH 14. 
• Tolled Express Lanes (TEL) – one buffer-separated TEL in each direction of I-25 from the existing HOV/Express Toll lanes at approximately 84th Avenue north to SH 14.
• Interchanges - 16 interchanges would be upgraded.
• Express Bus – Express bus with 13 stations along I-25, US 34 and Harmony Road with service from Fort Collins and Greeley to downtown Denver and between Fort Collins and DIA.
• Commuter Rail – Commuter rail service with nine stations connecting Fort Collins to Longmont and Thornton using the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right of way, generally paralleling SH 119 and tying into FasTracks North Metro rail in Thornton, which will connect to downtown Denver. Passengers may also connect to the FasTracks northwest rail in Longmont, which will travel to Boulder.
• Commuter Bus – Commuter bus service with eight stations along US 85 connecting Greeley to downtown Denver.
• Congestion Management- Some of the improvements include accommodations for ridesharing, carpools and vanpools, along with additional bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition, signal timing, ramp metering on I-25 and signage could also be improved. 

To view more details about the preferred alternative, click here.