2829 W. Howard Place Denver, CO 80204-2305 P 303.759.2368 www.codot.gov

TO: THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FROM: PAUL JESAITIS, R1 TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR DATE: UPDATED 7/14/202 FROM ORIGINAL VERSION OF 7/6/2020 SUBJECT: I-70 & PICADILLY 1601 APPROVAL Purpose The City of Aurora is pursuing 1601 approval from the CDOT Transportation Commission for a new Type 1 Interchange located at I-70 and Picadilly. As part of the 1601 process, a System Level Study (SLS) has been prepared and reviewed by the appropriate R1 staff at CDOT. The Region has determined the SLS is acceptable and meets the intent of the policy. The sponsors would like to seek approval from the Transportation Commission in July 2020. Action The City of Aurora is seeking Approval of the System Level Study in the July 2020 Transportation Commission Meeting. Background This project was initially given 1601 approval in 2007 and was part of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the E470 Interchange Complex that was completed at that time. Since no action was taken in the years following the 2007 approval the EA needed to be refreshed, as well as the 1601 process redone. The initial, approved preferred alternative at this location was a partial cloverleaf. The refined alternative under this refresh is a diverging diamond interchange. The 2020 EA Reevaluation was approved and signed by CDOT and FHWA in May, 2020. The project will realign Picadilly Road and construct a new bridge over I-70. The project will also remove an existing substandard partial interchange at Colfax Avenue, and adds signalized intersections and auxiliary lanes within the project area. The project will also construct I-70 mainline auxiliary lanes between Picadilly Road and Tower Road, and between Picadilly Road and E-470. The total cost of the project is $56.6 Million. CDOT is not being asked to share in the cost of this project. The project is included in the 2040 RTP and the DRCOG 2020-2023 TIP. Next Steps CDOT will work with the City of Aurora, stakeholders around the development, and other relevant stakeholders, such as DRCOG and RTD to develop a collaborative Transportation Demand Management Plan (TDM) that focuses on multimodal options that will improve air quality and reduce the amount of congestion to I-70 and the surrounding system. Attachments Project Executive Summary System Level Study - LINK Commission Resolution

Transportation Director 2829 W. Howard Place Denver, CO 80204-2305

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

May 2020 1

I. INTRODUCTION The I-70/Picadilly Interchange project will construct a new diverging diamond interchange on I-70 at Picadilly Road in Aurora, Colorado. This project will facilitate much-needed north-south connectivity on Picadilly Road and provide critical local access to I-70 for the growing development in the Colorado Aerotropolis area. The interchange will improve access for freight commerce, ease congestion, improve safety, and drive job creation, while supporting the Colorado Aerotropolis as a rapidly expanding economic hub. Additionally, the I-70/Picadilly Interchange delivers the logical full movement connection for US-40 and Business 70 (Colfax Avenue) to I-70 in the most efficient manner. This is key to providing transportation network clarity and expectation to customers seeking access to and coming from the US-40 corridor immediately west of this interchange. II. PURPOSE AND NEED The area near Denver International Airport is rapidly developing and is the heart of a planned Colorado Aerotropolis—a collaborative effort to develop the area surrounding the airport into a world-class residential, commercial, industrial, and logistics community. Today, there is a gap in the arterial roadway grid on Picadilly Road at I-70 that negatively impacts local and regional traffic and freight transporters traveling to and from the rapidly developing Colorado Aerotropolis area. The insufficient infrastructure connectivity results in severe congestion on Tower Road and Gun Club Road, which run parallel to Picadilly Road to the west and east, respectively. III. HISTORY The I-70/Picadilly Interchange is part of the I-70/E-470 Interchange Complex Environmental Assessment that began in 2003. After receiving a Finding of No Significant Impact in 2007, the City of Aurora and the E-470 Public Highways Authority completed additional design work on some phases of the complex, including the northbound E-470 to westbound I-70 ramp flyover, a realignment of E-470 over I-70, and a new frontage road constructed on the original E-470 alignment. In addition, 19th Avenue west between Gun Club Road and Picadilly Road has been constructed. IV. GRANT FUNDING AWARD AND PROJECT SCHEDULE Concurrent with the re-evaluation and 1601 process, the project team submitted the project for USDOT BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) Grant consideration in July 2019. Notification of successful award of the maximum amount of $25M was delivered November 2019. The BUILD program requires that all project funds through construction be obligated in an executed Grant Agreement by June 2021. To meet the demanding timeline of the Grant Agreement deadline, the project team is currently working diligently to complete Preliminary Design documents and Right of Way plans. Completion of those documents is scheduled for June 2020, which will allow the project to transition immediately to the next project phase.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

May 2020 2

1601 Interchange Approval ProcessPrimer for Transportation Commission

July 2020

• The 1601 policy and procedural directive outline the guiding principles and steps necessary to approve a new interchange or interchange modification on the interstate, freeway, or state highway system.

• The policy integrates:– FHWA and CDOT environmental approvals– Access permitting– Planning partner approvals

What is Policy Directive 1601?

Purposes of the Directive

• Preserve the state highway system’s Level of Service (LOS)• Ensure fair and consistent consideration of proposals for

new & existing interchanges• Ensure CDOT has sufficient information to make an

informed decision• Minimize duplicative analytical, regulatory, and

procedural requirements• Match the project complexity and facility type with the

appropriate level of approval

– Type 1 – New Interchanges on the Interstate andFreeway system

• These are approved by the Transportation Commission (TC)

– Type 2 – New interchanges on the remaining statehighway system and modifications to interchanges

• These are approved by the Chief Engineer or maybe elevated to theTransportation Commission

– Type 2a – Minor modifications to interchanges, whichdo not require a system level analysis

• These can be delegated by the Chief Engineer for approval by theRegional Transportation Director (RTD).

Interchange Improvement Types

• The state highway system shall be owned by CDOT.

• The applicant is responsible for all costs– Includes design, ROW, construction, maintenance and

replacement.– CDOT participation in any cost sharing proposal must be

approved by TC

• Applicants must demonstrate significant progress within 3 years of receiving Commission approval. – No more than two (1-year) extensions may be given.

1601 Policy Highlights

Upcoming DRAFT Changes to the Revised Policy

Key Revisions Department Implications

Updated FHWA Interstate Access Request

Staff and applicant workload and cost benefit

Annual Report to Commission

Potential additional visibility(Is the removal of this requirement appropriate?)

Project Milestones Additionally clarity

IGA Requirements Streamlined requirement for staff

Access Management Clarity*

Strengthens the policy and addresses long-term system functionality

New TDM Requirement Requires TDM strategies to preserve the long-term functionality of new interchanges.

• Staff will bring a revised version of the PD that includes clean-up and substantive edits in the months to come.

• After the PD is finalized, staff will provide policy directive training to each region.

Next Steps

Questions?

Transportation Commission Study

SessionJuly 15, 2020

Agenda

1601 Interchange AccessType 1

Interstate 70 Picadilly Interchange (Aurora)

Project History

• 1601 Type 1 Interchange

• EA, FONSI, System Level Study, Interstate Access Request completed in 2007

• Notification of $25M BUILD grant award November 2019.

• Requires that all project funds through construction be obligated in an executed Grant Agreement by June 2021.

Purpose and Need

The primary purpose of the I-70/E-470 project is to efficiently and safely connect the freeway and toll-way systems, I-70 and E-470, while maintaining and improving local access for existing and planned roadways and future travel demand.

Goals:• Correct deficiencies associated with substandard ramps• Improve regional mobility and safety• Enhance access for adjacent land uses

Revised Preferred Alternative

Revised Preferred Alternative

Future US 40 Alignment Diverging Diamond Interchange

Mitigation to Existing System

1. Improved regional mobility and additional access to I-702. Improved operations with full movement interchange3. Increased capacity with auxiliary lanes added between Tower Road and Picadilly Road4. Improved safety and operations for NB to WB E-470 connection5. Improved safety with removal of left hand WB off ramp to Colfax Avenue6. Improved safety with removal of substandard EB off ramp to Colfax Avenue

Next Steps

• EA Reevaluation – May 28, 2020 approval

• System Level Study – Pending approval

• Interstate Access Request – Pending approval

• Design Build Procurement - Beginning July 2020