Official says “Record of Decision” is now expected from federal officials in early 2017

From Denver Post Aug 26, 2017

By Jon Murray

jmurray@denverpost.com

State and federal officials have agreed to a delay of three to four months in the issuance of a document that will serve as the official green light for the controversial $1.2 billion project to expand Interstate 70 through northeast Denver.

The Colorado Department of Transportation noted a change to the project schedule this week in an e-mail newsletter sent to subscribers. Officials had said they expected a federal Record of Decision to be issued in late summer, officially ending the long environmental impact review process that has evaluated project alternatives.

Provided by Colorado Department of Transportation An updated rendering released in August 2016 shows the four-acre cover planned over part of a lowered Interstate 70 in Denver.

The new estimate is for this winter. Rebecca White, CDOT’s I-70 project spokeswoman, said the effective delay is likely to be three to four months, and that change also has pushed the expected start of construction into 2018 from late 2017.

CDOT’s contracting process is underway with four bid teams. But she said the state cannot finalize any bid request or contract documents until that Record of Decision is issued by the Federal Highway Administration.

Why the delay? The newsletter cited the need to review the many comments — about 700 — received on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which was issued earlier this year.