Aurora drivers have a whole new way to cross Interstate 70. The Picadilly Road diverging diamond interchange is now fully open to traffic in all directions as of Monday, Feb. 9, the latest move in the city’s effort to unclog north–south routes near Denver International Airport. The unusual layout briefly shifts traffic to the left side of the road over the new bridge, which trims down the number of conflict points for left turns onto I-70 and is meant to keep cars and trucks moving with fewer slowdowns. Crews are not gone yet, though, and will keep some temporary lane closures in place while they finish weather-sensitive work into spring.
What Drivers Will See
The diverging diamond design is built around one goal: fewer dicey left turns and less waiting at lights. It reduces left-turn conflicts and is expected to cut both travel time and vehicle operating costs along the corridor, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. CDOT lists benefits that include reduced emissions, less out-of-direction driving, and up to $132 million in combined vehicle-operating and travel-time savings over time. The agency also pegs the construction budget at about $69.99 million and notes that major work ran from August 2023 into late 2025.
Who Built It And How Much It Cost
The city tapped Lawrence Construction as the design-build prime contractor, and the company says it signed its contract in January 2023 and delivered the bulk of the interchange work within a roughly $70 million budget, per Lawrence Construction. Using a design-build approach lets engineers and crews overlap design and construction, which shortens the delivery timeline. The project reached substantial completion in time for a November ribbon-cutting, and the company’s project page offers photos and a brief construction timeline.
Open, But Not Finished
According to the City of Aurora, the interchange first opened to one lane of travel in all directions, then shifted to full traffic on Feb. 9. Even with all movements now available, drivers can still expect intermittent lane closures as crews work through punch-list items into spring 2026. The newly built stretch of Picadilly between East 19th Avenue and Smith Road will stay closed for final paving and signal work for several more weeks. Pedestrian and bicycle access through the diverging diamond is not yet available; officials say the shared path will open once temperature-dependent work wraps up.
Why It Matters For Jobs And Growth
The new ramps and bridge are designed to open up development sites around Denver International Airport, and the project relied on a $25 million federal BUILD grant to help get there. Supporters pitch the interchange as a key connection to the emerging Colorado Aerotropolis, which they say could support tens of thousands of jobs in the coming decades, according to reporting by the Denver Gazette. For a look at how the Picadilly link fits into a broader wave of construction in the city, check out this overview of a broader wave of road and transit work in Aurora, as per Hoodline. Backers say the interchange should make nearby I-70 sites easier to reach for freight haulers and commuters, speeding up development that is already lining up permits in the area.
For now, drivers are being urged to build in some extra time and keep a close eye on new signs and temporary lane shifts while the final work continues. Weekly updates, maps, and travel advisories are available through the City of Aurora or by calling the project hotline at 720-477-3799. Local officials are also nudging commuters to sign up for the city’s construction roundup email so they are not caught off guard during the last stretch of the project.
