In time for this morning’s rush hour, workers plan to open the new 1,400-foot flyover that will connect motorists on southbound Interstate 25 directly with eastbound Interstate 270.
Work on the $4.8 million structure began in March 2004.
The bridge is the first in the state to use pre-cast curved concrete girders, said Moe Awaz nezhad, program engineer with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The nine-year reconstruction of the junction of I-25, I-270, Interstate 76 and U.S. 36 has cost about $140 million so far. Because of the complexity of the four-highway interchange, some motorists call it the “asterisk.”
Opening of the flyover, and related highway paving, will complete the ninth construction phase of the venture.
The only remaining project at the junction is a $15 million flyover to link eastbound I-270 with eastbound I-76, said CDOT chief engineer Craig Siracusa.
Referendum D, which Colorado voters rejected earlier this month, included money for that final flyover.
CDOT has yet to identify another way of paying for the structure, Siracusa said.
Also this morning, T-REX officials plan to open the new Lincoln/Broadway off-ramp from northbound I-25 in Denver.
Northbound I-25 commuters must be in the right lane by the Washington Street bridge or they will miss access to the Lincoln/Broadway off-ramp, said T-REX spokeswoman Joy Wasendorf.
Staff writer Jeffrey Leib can be reached at 303-820-1645 or jleib@denverpost.com.
