Relief may finally be on the horizon for drivers who crawl over the South Gartrell Road bridge at rush hour. Aurora is set to kick off construction in early May to widen the bridge over E‑470, a roughly yearlong project that will add lanes, turn pockets, and new traffic signals for drivers, plus safer access for people on foot or bicycle. The goal is to cut those regular backups at the tollway ramps and improve safety, though regular commuters should brace for narrowed lanes, shoulder closures, and shifting traffic patterns in the work zone.
When work starts and how traffic will change
According to a City of Aurora news release, construction is targeted to begin in early May. Starting May 11, traffic on South Gartrell Road will be shifted to the south side of the bridge, with travel lanes narrowed and shoulders closed as crews move in. Variable message signs went up in late April to give drivers a heads-up, and the city is urging motorists to slow down and use extra caution through the corridor. The initial traffic changes will affect the stretch between East Dry Creek Road and South Aurora Parkway.
What the project will add
The existing two-lane bridge will be widened to a four-lane section with additional turn lanes and new traffic signals, along with multimodal upgrades, including improved bike and pedestrian access, as reported in local coverage. Planners say the extra capacity should ease backups at E‑470 ramps during peak commuting hours and better keep pace with the ongoing growth in southeast Aurora, according to 9News.
Cost, funders and schedule
The city puts the construction price tag at about $10.8 million. Roughly 80 percent of that will come from the South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority, with the remaining 20 percent funded by the E‑470 Tollway Authority. Aurora reports that a contractor is already on board and that the work is expected to last about 12 months from the official start date, as per the City of Aurora.
How the work fits into wider E‑470 upgrades
The E‑470 Public Highway Authority, which is contributing to the Gartrell project, has been involved in several interchange and capacity improvements along the tollway and coordinates with its member cities and counties on schedules and traffic management. On its news pages, the authority highlights recent investments and ongoing upgrades across the E‑470 corridor, which officials frame as part of a larger push to keep up with growth in the southeast metro area.
How to plan around the work
Drivers should be ready for slower speeds, alternating lane patterns, and occasional single-lane or overnight closures as crews place beams and widen the bridge span. Local commuters, transit operators and nearby businesses are being urged to allow extra travel time during rush hours and to follow all posted signs in the construction zone. City officials say they will post updates and travel impacts on the project page as work moves forward, so regular users of the corridor may want to keep an eye on those notices before heading out.
