Officials of Federal transportation have given the green signal to widen the Interstate 70 in Northeast Denver.
After 15 years of legal battle, federals approved the long debated plan this week, which would widen the I-70 through some of the poorest neighborhoods in Denver.
It was a major victory for the Colorado Department of Transportation, as it is planning to begin work on the most expensive highway project in state history.
However, some yard signs in the region read “Ditch the I-70 and “it is not too late” stating that the fight is not over.
Alonso Cabral, whose home sits in the shadow of the 53-year-old I-70 viaduct st. to be torn down said “It makes me angry more than anything.” Cabral’s family lived there for more than 40 years and they are still not sure if their home will remain, but cannot afford to move.
There is lead in the dirt, said Cabral, I have kids when they start doing all this what is going to happen to the kids, what is going to happen to my kid, who has asthma, he added.
The neighborhood from where the I-70 going to pass is 80% Latino with the highest density if population in the state.
But this week, federal officials approved the Colorado Department of Transportation’s five year, $1.2 billion plan to tear down the viaduct triple the width of the I-70 footprint, and bury it below grade through the neighborhood.
The president of the Elyria Swansea Neighborhood Association, Drew Dutcher said that public opposition is growing.
“This is the worst possible solution, this is an environmental disaster, said Dutcher. This is an economic boondoggle that will cost $2 billion. If it is a penny it will take far longer than the five years that they say.”
The transport department is planning to start the construction process next year, with a four acre park over the lowered freeway.
“This is a 1960s solution when we should be looking at 21st century solutions to our cities and to transportation there are many better options," said Dutcher.
Opposition groups said that there is still a lawsuit against the Colorado Transportation Department, which is set to be heard this fall, claiming that department broke its own rules to allow the project.
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