The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), is pleased to announce the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Valley Highway Project. The Valley Highway Project is a proposal to improve portions of Interstate 25 (I-25) and US 6 (6th Avenue) in Denver, Colorado. Improvements would be made to existing I-25 between Logan Street and US 6 (6th Avenue), existing US 6 between I-25 and Federal Boulevard, and existing Santa Fe Drive/Kalamath Street between I-25 and Ellsworth Avenue. The Draft EIS presents three system alternatives to address the purpose and need of the proposed project. Following public comment on the Draft EIS, FHWA and CDOT will identify a preferred alternative. The preferred alternative may be one of the system alternatives or a combination of elements of two or more of the alternatives analyzed.

Review Period Dates: A 45-day public review period will conclude on June 14, 2005. Written comments on the scope of the alternatives and impacts must be received by FHWA or CDOT by June 14, 2005 to be considered. An informational meeting and a public hearing to receive verbal comments on the Draft EIS will be held. The informational meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Baker Middle School cafeteria, 574 W. 6th Avenue. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2005, at the Drury Gymnasium, 375 S. Zuni. For these meetings, doors will open at 5:30 pm with a presentation beginning at 6:00 pm, followed by a public comment session and open house. Project officials from CDOT and FHWA will be on hand to accept comments and concerns. Project area maps, displays, and handouts will be available for public inspection during these meetings.

The Draft EIS is available for public review at many area locations including:

• Federal Highway Administration, 12300 W. Dakota Ave., Lakewood
• Colorado Department of Transportation, Region 6, 2000 S. Holly St., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Byers Branch, 675 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Ross-Barnum Branch, 3570 W. First Ave., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Ross-Broadway Branch, 33 E. Bayaud Ave., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Athmar Park Branch, 1055 S. Tejon St., Denver
• Denver Public Library, Decker Branch, 1501 S. Logan St., Denver

Technical reports, providing additional detail, are available at the CDOT offices and the Denver Public Library – Central Branch. The Draft EIS and information on ways to comment is also available on the official website for the Valley Highway Project, www.valleyhighway.com. If you have any questions, please call the Valley Highway Project hotline at 720-489-7923.

Address for Written Comments: Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to: Chris Horn, Senior Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 12300 West Dakota Avenue Suite 180, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, or to: Tony Gross, Senior Project Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation Region 6, 2000 South Holly Street, Denver, Colorado 80222.