Commuters on the northeast side of Denver are getting a tighter fit on the morning drive. CDOT crews launched preventative maintenance this month on the bridge that carries U.S. 36 and Interstate 270 over I-25, a key connector where traffic was already heavy on a good day.
Work began the night of March 1 on eastbound U.S. 36 at Mile Point 57 and will move west across the bridge in stages. Starting the week of March 30, repairs will widen to include the southbound I-25 off-ramp to eastbound I-270, with traffic shifted into single lanes and most of the heavy lifting happening at night. Those lane shifts and nighttime operations are expected to stick around through the fall.
Phase 2 of the project will swap out modular joints, remove deteriorated deck concrete, install new approach slabs and inlet protections, and carry out ground stabilization, according to a press release from CDOT. The agency and contractor ABCO Contracting, Inc. peg the price tag at about $2 million, with work scheduled from March through October 2026.
What Crews Will Do And Why It Matters
Crews will saw-cut and remove worn concrete, then install new approach panels and modular joints to smooth out the ride. They will also add inlet protection so stormwater drains off the bridge instead of pooling on the travel lanes. The goal is to improve drainage, cut down the risk of hydroplaning, and buy time before a more disruptive full replacement is needed, as reported by the Denver Gazette.
Ground stabilization work at the bridge approaches is aimed at preventing settlement that creates those familiar dips drivers feel when crossing the structure. The idea is to keep the approaches from sagging so the bridge and roadway meet more cleanly.
Traffic Impacts And Schedule
For much of the project, eastbound U.S. 36 traffic at MP 57 will be squeezed into a single lane while crews work nearby, although at least one lane will stay open at all times. Night work is generally set for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Daytime single-lane closures are slated from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning April 1, so drivers should plan on minor delays and narrowed lanes along the corridor, as reported by CBS News Colorado. CDOT expects to wrap up repairs by the end of October 2026.
How To Avoid Delays
To dodge backups, drivers are encouraged to check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for real-time road conditions and live camera views before heading out, and to sign up for project alerts. CDOT has posted maps, a project hotline, and an email contact on its project website.
For detailed information and contacts, see CDOT or visit COtrip at COtrip.org.
