Road and Highway Construction Plan Expected to Take a $250 Million Hit in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Transportation might be building fewer roads than they had originally planned after the coronavirus recedes. A few projects already underway have been able to speed up.

2 minute read

April 21, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Colorado Interstate

Construction on Interstate 70 in Colorado, pictured in January 2019. | photo-denver / Shutterstock

"Big highway projects along the Front Range have taken advantage of the unprecedented weeks-long lull in traffic set off by the coronavirus pandemic by speeding up some work," reports Jon Murray.

The lack of automobile traffic in Colorado has accelerated construction on the Central 70 project in northeast Denver and the I-25 South Gap project, among others, reports Murray, but the numerous other projects are at-risk of losing necessary funds as drivers stay off the roads and leave gas tax revenues on empty in the state. 

Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew presented a preview of budgetary challenges to come for road projects in the state at a recent meeting of the Colorado Transportation Commission. 

"Suddenly at risk are big-ticket projects on Interstate 70 in the mountains, including a notorious bottleneck at Floyd Hill, as well as widening work along sections of Interstate 25 along the Front Range and an overhaul of Interstate 270 in metro Denver," writes Murray to explain the at-risk projects.

Lew described a total of $250 million in projected hits to Colorado's planned projects over the next three years—just a few months removed from the Colorado Transportation Commission's November 2019 approval of a $1.6 billion project list for CDOT, described by Murray as "the most substantial funded road plan in years."

Concern about road and highway construction funding has already been expressed in Missouri, as well.

Monday, April 20, 2020 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today