The long-awaited ramp from Tower Road onto westbound Pena Boulevard officially opens at 10 a.m. Monday.

The ramp will provide a direct link to downtown Denver for both Denver International Airport travelers and residents of Commerce City.

Drivers have long complained about the missing on ramp, which forces them to take Tower Road south to 56th Avenue to access Pena Boulevard. But the project was stalled by a lack of funding and red tape.

The FAA had concerns about the amount of non-airport traffic that would then use Pena Boulevard if a ramp was built. But the agency finally approved the project in 2017.

The new ramp will be a huge relief for many airport travelers who park at two lots north of the Tower Road and Pena Boulevard interchange — U.S. Airport Parking and Canopy Airport Parking. Drivers who pick up their cars will now be able to access westbound Pena Boulevard directly from Tower Road, instead of having to take Tower south or using E-470.

Neighborhoods in Commerce City north of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge will also benefit from having a direct connection from Tower Road to Denver. Leaders expect there will be a business boom along Tower Road, likely including new hotels and restaurants.

Construction is still continuing on the Tower Road expansion. More details on the project can be found here.