Nearly a dozen major highways across the state would receive funding from the first phase of the $1.9 billion transportation spending measure approved this year by the Colorado General Assembly, under a preliminary project list approved by the state Transportation Commission.

True to the law’s intent that a significant chunk of the funding be spent in rural areas, the list would spread the money far and wide, on projects such as Highway 13 near the Wyoming state line and the U.S. 550/U.S. 160 connection near Durango.

The Front Range, too, gets some love, with just over half the initial $800 million earmarked to help with traffic congestion on Interstate 25 north and south of Denver.

[ Related: As Colorado prepares to spend $1.9 billion on road projects, “battle lines are clearly drawn” as familiar debate roils at state Capitol ]

Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Amy Ford said the list will be revisited this spring and is subject to change based on the availability of grants and other funding streams. More projects will be added as the $1.9 billion in financing is secured over the next four years.

SB 267-funded CDOT projects

The Colorado Department of Transportation released the proposed project list for the first phase of $1.9 billion in transportation projects authorized last legislative session. The 10 projects selected by the state Transportation Commission would cover the first two years of funding from Senate Bill 267, with more projects to come.

The initial project list won’t be finalized until Spring 2018, with construction not expected to start until after financing is secured later next year. At least 25 percent of the funding was required to be spent in rural counties. The bill also contains funding for $25 million for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, which aren’t shown on the map.

Click a marker for details; circle size indicates funding amount; locations are approximate



Source: CDOT

Here’s the full list of proposed projects, with brief descriptions:

$250 million for I-25 south of Denver: Construction of one new tolled express lane in each direction from Monument to Plum Creek Parkway.

$200 million for I-25 north of Denver: Addition of one new tolled express lane in each direction, interchange reconstruction, mainline reconstruction, and improvements between state highways 402 and 56.

$80 million for I-70 west of Denver: Construction of peak period shoulder lanes on the westbound side from Twin Tunnels to Empire Junction.

$60 million for Highway 13 south of the Wyoming state line: Reconstruction and improvements at three locations between Wyoming and the town of Rifle.

$57.3 million for U.S. 550/160 connection east of Durango: Completion of the connection at the Grandview Interchange.

$55 million for I-70 east of Denver: Pavement replacement and associated safety improvements.

$36 million for U.S. 50 west of Pueblo: Widening of the divided highway from two lanes to three.

$25 million for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements around the state.

$10 million for Highway 9 north of Frisco: Completion of corridor including minimal widening, water quality and drainage improvements, and improvements to two intersections.

$9.5 million for U.S. 50 near Little Blue Canyon: Reconstruction and widening of existing roadway to meet current design standards and improve safety, drainage and access. Project will also add passing lanes and do landslide mitigation.

$9 million for U.S. 160 in Montezuma County: Construction of passing lanes and vehicle turnouts.

Source: CDOT