Preliminary Engineering and NEPA and WSP Central 70 Design-Build
WSP was the lead designer for Kiewit Meridiam Partners (KMP), who was selected by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain Central 70, which is the largest infrastructure development project in CDOT’s history. In the role as lead designer, WSP worked directly with the Contractor and the Developer to prepare all designs for the project. The Developer is a special-purpose company composed of Meridiam, a global equity-investment firm, and Kiewit Development Corporation. Kiewit Infrastructure Construction (KIC) served as the design-builder of the project. Work on the project includes:
- Reconstruction of a 10-mile section of I-70 between Brighton Boulevard and Chambers Road east of downtown Denver
- Addition of one new tolled express lane in each direction between I-25 and Chambers Road
- Design of 18 new bridge crossings
- Drainage improvements; utility relocations, new signing, pavement markings, lighting, intelligent transportation system (ITS) and landscaping along the corridor
The signature element of the project is the creation of a 4-acre park over a lowered section of I-70 eliminating an aging viaduct structure which created a barrier to the local neighborhood.