CDOT outlines I‑25 safety upgrades, warns median transit station could cost $50–70 million

Summary

CDOT and RTD briefed Thornton council on safety and operations work for I‑25 (US‑36 to 104th Avenue), presenting alternatives, a funding timeline and public outreach dates. The most complex choice is whether to build a median bus station at the Thornton Park‑and‑Ride; CDOT staff said it would substantially increase bridge length and cost.

Colorado Department of Transportation staff on Tuesday walked Thornton leaders through the status and schedule for the I‑25 safety and operations project covering US‑36 to 104th Avenue and asked the city to help refine alternatives ahead of a June public meeting and the state’s 10‑year plan update.

CDOT Region 1 transportation director Jessica Micklebust told council staff and RTD are trying “to build the right thing on opening day,” using limited strategic funds while completing environmental review and final design. CDOT currently holds a placeholder of $110 million in strategic funds for the corridor but staff said the full project will likely exceed that amount and will require a mix of state strategic dollars, toll revenue from CTIO, grants and local or developer partnerships.

Why it matters: I‑25 through Thornton carries heavy ramp weaving, increasing crash risk and congestion. CDOT presented alternatives intended to reduce rear‑end and sideswipe crashes, improve traffic flow and preserve transit operations while keeping construction readiness compatible with the department’s fiscal plan.

What CDOT presented

- Corridor segmentation and timeline: CDOT split the corridor into south, center and north segments and said it is in NEPA…

CDOT outlines I‑25 safety upgrades, warns median transit station could cost $50–70 million

Summary

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