Significant traffic shifts are on the horizon for Interstate 70, starting the week of April 21st. The City of Aurora reports that the I-70 Picadilly Interchange Project will be imposing overnight traffic modifications near Colfax Avenue to allow for construction activities, specifically the erection of bridge girders and additional bridge work.
During these construction windows, from Monday, April 21, through Thursday, April 24, overnight from 6 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., lane reductions and shifts will see eastbound and westbound traffic alternating usage of I-70. On Monday and Wednesday, eastbound I-70 traffic will be narrowed down to a single lane and shifted onto the westbound side. Conversely, on Tuesday and Thursday, westbound I-70 will be constrained to one lane, being diverted to the eastbound side, as per the City of Aurora.
These adjustments are a necessity for crews to safely continue their work as part of shaping a more efficient and safer diverging diamond interchange at the heavily trafficked juncture of I-70 and Picadilly Road. Drivers are advised to exercise increased caution navigating these temporary traffic patterns, follow the posted speed limits and to allocate additional time for travel to circumvent potential delays.
It is worth noting that this schedule is contingent on the cooperation of the weather, seeing as construction activities are weather-dependent, thus could influence closures and the overall timeline of the traffic adjustments, AuroraGov.org stressed. Commuters are encouraged to stay updated on future impacts to traffic through regular updates, which can be accessed and subscribed to via the project's webpage.
Looking beyond these immediate changes, the I-70 Picadilly Interchange Project aims to accommodate the burgeoning growth in residential, commercial, and industrial development along the I-70 corridor. Implementing a diverging diamond interchange will significantly reduce out-of-direction travel for local commuters and businesses. According to the City of Aurora, this design will not only improve the flow of vehicle traffic but also enhance safety measures for pedestrians and bicyclists with the addition of a new pathway and better signaling systems.
Editor's Note: The headline of this article has been updated for accuracy.
