FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2006

         Denver – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today released for public comment the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the I-25 Valley Highway Project. A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2006. The 30-day comment period ends December 18, 2006.

          The Final EIS was completed by FHWA and CDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Regional Transportation District (RTD), and the City and County of Denver. The I-25 Valley Highway Project includes highway reconstruction and interchange reconfiguration along I-25 from Logan Street to 6th Avenue, and along 6th Avenue from I-25 to Federal Boulevard, as well as improvements to the Santa Fe Drive/Kalamath Street/Consolidated Main Line railroad crossing. The Final EIS includes the Preferred Alternative as well as project phasing information.

          “We’ve worked hard for the past five years to develop alternatives to replace the aging infrastructure of the old Valley Highway, update interchanges and improve safety,” said Tony Gross, CDOT Valley Highway Project Manager. “After addressing all the environmental impacts and gathering input from the community, we’d like further feedback from the public to make sure we’re on target with our plans. I wish to thank our neighbors for the enormous amount of time they spent helping us make good decisions throughout this process,” added Gross.

          The public can review the Final EIS online at www.valleyhighway.com. A hard copy is also available for public review at several locations:

Colorado Department of Transportation Region 6 2000 S. Holly St. Denver, CO Federal Highway Administration Colorado Division 12300 W. Dakota Ave., Suite 180 Lakewood, CO Denver Public Library Central Library 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Denver, CO Denver Public Library Decker Branch 1501 S. Logan St. Denver, CO

Denver Public Library Ross-Barnum Branch 3570 W. First Ave. Denver, CO Denver Public Library Ross-Broadway Branch 33 E. Bayaud Ave. Denver, CO Denver Public Library Athmar Park Branch 1055 S. Tejon St. Denver, CO Denver Public Library Byers Branch 675 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO

          The public is invited to attend the public hearing on November 30. The objective of the public hearing will be to gather citizens’ input on the EIS. Those comments will be included in a Record of Decision, which is expected to be released in early 2007. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and there will be a presentation at 6:30 p.m., followed by a comment period. Spanish translation will be available, and children are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

I-25 Valley Highway Project Public Hearing: Thursday, November 30, 2006 5:30-8:00 p.m. Drury Gymnasium 375 S. Zuni