Drivers who dread the daily crawl near Brighton just got a new escape route. The long-planned diamond interchange at Sable Boulevard and E‑470 opened to traffic and pedestrians around 2 p.m. Monday, giving the area a direct connection that city and county officials have said was badly needed. The new ramps and wider bridge are intended to ease the chronic backups that pile up at 120th Avenue and US‑85 during peak hours, while improving access for nearby businesses and the Adams County Government Center.
What Changed At Sable And E‑470
The project completes a full diamond interchange by adding four ramps, widening the Sable Boulevard bridge over E‑470, and installing new turn lanes and sidewalks, as outlined by the E‑470 Public Highway Authority. Ames Construction, the contractor on the job, highlighted the girder set in project photos and noted that the bridge widening and ramp construction were key pieces of the build, according to Ames Construction.
Why The Project Matters
The $35 million interchange followed roughly four years of planning and about 14 months of construction. Adams County records show the county conveyed several parcels near the Adams County Government Center so the ramps could be built, per Adams County documents. E‑470 Executive Director Joe Donahue told CBS the new access will "help alleviate traffic and allow it to move more smoothly through the region," and staff said tolling on the new ramps will be paused for about two weeks before going live on Aug. 10, as reported by CBS News Colorado.
Tolls And Travel Tips
The City of Brighton's project page warns of lane reductions, temporary signal changes, and detours on Sable Boulevard as crews finish intersection tie-ins and stormwater work, according to the City of Brighton. Motorists are advised to allow extra time through the 132nd–144th stretch while turn lanes and a new roundabout at 136th are completed. For questions about paying tolls and ExpressToll transponders, drivers can check the E‑470 travel pages for account information and customer service contacts, per the E‑470 Public Highway Authority.
