Major Interstate 25 Closure In Denver Begins
DENVER (CBS4) - The major closure of Interstate 25 is under way.
A five-mile stretch of I-25 from Santa Fe to Hampden is closed until 10 p.m. due to the presidential debate taking place at the University of Denver.
An estimated 50,000 vehicles use that stretch of I-25 during this time frame, and the cars that try to get through will be directed onto side streets.
CBS4 Traffic Specialist Joel Hillan said at 6 p.m. that traffic on side streets wasn't heavy.
"It seems like folks got the message and stayed away," Hillan said.
Watch Hillan's report from Mobile4 as the highway was in the process of getting closed:
Watch CBS4 reporter Jennifer Brice's report from I-25 and Hampden at 6 p.m.:
CDOT and the City of Denver have teamed up to develop a complete list of detours for drivers.
For southbound I-25 traffic passing through the city:
I-25 to Santa Fe Drive (US 85): Continue south on Santa Fe Drive to Hampden Avenue and travel east/north on Hampden to I-25 (posted detour route) OR Continue south on Santa Fe to C-470 and travel east to I-25
I-25 to I-70: West on I-70, connect to C-470 and travel south to I-25 OR East on I-70, connect to I-225 and travel south to I-25
For northbound I-25 traffic passing through the city:
I-25 to Hampden Avenue: Go west to Santa Fe Drive (US 85) and travel north to I-25 (posted detour route)
I-25 to I-225: North on I-225 to I-70, then west to I-270 or I-25
The following arterial streets are recommended if you prefer to travel on other roadways:
For east/west travel: 6th Avenue, Alameda Avenue, Yale Avenue
For north/south travel: State Highway (SH) 121 (Wadsworth Boulevard), SH 95 (Sheridan Boulevard), SH 88 (Federal Boulevard), Broadway, SH 2 (Colorado Boulevard), Monaco Parkway
To avoid the entire area, these routes provide additional options:
Southbound I-25 alternate routes: I-76 east to I-270 to I-70 to I-225 (preferred), I-70 east to I-225 (preferred), E-470 to I-70 or I-25 (tollway)
Northbound I-25 alternate routes: C-470 west to I-70 (preferred), I-225 to I-70 (preferred), E-470 to I-70 or I-25 (tollway)
University Boulevard is not a recommended route on debate day as it will be closed in sections at various times. Also, beginning at approximately 6 p.m. on October 2, Buchtel Boulevard will be closed from Franklin Street to University Boulevard with local eastbound access to High Street.
The RTD light rail will run during the presidential debate.
