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You are here: Home / Then and Now / Then and Now: Interstate 70 Viaduct – Final Look

Then and Now: Interstate 70 Viaduct – Final Look

March 26, 2023 By Neil

Over the past two years I have gone and photographed some of the final changes along the Interstate 70 viaduct changes. With the construction work mostly complete, I made one final visit to this stretch of Interstate.

 

April/May 2021

If you have driven through the Denver Metro area along Interstate 70 over the years the I-70 viaduct was most likely part of your drive. The nearly two mile elevated stretch of Interstate from Brighton Blvd to Colorado Blvd existed for over 50 years, however with the Central 70 Project putting I-70 below grade the viaduct was not longer required. Then and Now looks at this infrastructure over the past few months as the traffic shifted from above to below grade and the demolition of viaduct took place.

As the initial part of the Central 70 Project took shape, it was still possible to drive under the viaduct on 46th Avenue.

Driving under the Viaduct during initial construction
Driving under the Viaduct during initial construction

Living along the Interstate 70 Viaduct

and under the viaduct looking up are the architectural elements which we have noticed over the years.

The detail under the Interstate 70 viaduct

However not far away the lowering of the Interstate was taking place.

Viaduct with the progress of Central 70 Project

 

Just prior to the switch of the traffic from the viaduct, CDOT held an open house for people in the community could walk along the new Interstate 70 and learn more about the project.

Central 70 Project Open House - May 2021

 

May 2021 – Viaduct

In mid-May 2021 the traffic shifted to this portion of the Interstate and the demolition of the viaduct started.

Viaduct in May 2021

June 2021 – Viaduct

The initial demolition is well on the way at the west end of the structure.

August 2021 – Viaduct

By mid-August the majority of the viaduct has been removed. The final portions by the Purina plant and well as a small portion along the east end is all that remains.

September 2021 – Viaduct

Over Labor Day weekend, the steam engine Big Boy 4014 stopped in Denver on the Union Pacific Steam Tower. As it prepared to back into the yard it cab be seen over the interstate with the progress of the Interstate 70 viaduct teardown.

Big Boy 4014 and the viaduct of Interstate 70

 

February 2023

In February 2023 I went to look at the Interstate 70 viaduct changes which have been made through the Elyria, Swansea, and Globeville neighborhoods.
The completed flow of the Interstate is complete. The new toll lanes can be seen closest to the middle of the road in these two images. Besides the change from a viaduct to below grade the covering of a portion of the highway can be seen in the second image. This was transformed to give me open space to the neighborhood and try to reconnect the community.

The final configured lanes of Interstate 70 through the Elyria, Swansea, and Globeville neighborhoods.

The final configured lanes of Interstate 70 through the Elyria, Swansea, and Globeville neighborhoods as traffic goes through the extended bridge

 

Businesses which can be seen in earlier pictures under the shadow of Interstate 70 may still have the noise of the traffic but the shadow and potential for falling materials have been removed.

Businesses along Interstate 70 no longer sit beneath the heavily traveled highway.
Businesses along Interstate 70 no longer sit beneath the heavily traveled highway.
Businesses along Interstate 70 no longer sit beneath the heavily traveled highway.
Businesses along Interstate 70 no longer sit beneath the heavily traveled highway.

The top of the extended bridge of the Interstate 70 viaduct project now has open space for the community. This includes a lawn with a pavilion for events, as well as a multi-purpose field which is lined for soccer. The location of this area is next to a school. While walking along the project area it was quite noticeable the difference in noise from this area to those which are still open.

Green space sits on top of the Interstate 70 in the newly configured format.
Green space sits on top of the Interstate 70 in the newly configured format.
A soccer field sits on top of the extended bridge Interstate 70 now goes under.
A soccer field sits on top of the extended bridge Interstate 70 now goes under.

The Interstate 70 viaduct project has been a significant change in this neighborhood, and while it is still divided by Interstate 70 it may help in some aspects to connect it more than it was in the past.

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Filed Under: Then and Now

About Neil

A picture tells a story. With so many ways to tell a story, a picture not only communicates the vision I see but allows viewers to interpret the story as well.

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