I-70 East Project proposal mapThe Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the state’s High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) have released to the public the first request for proposals (RFP) for the Interstate 70 East Project near Denver, an effort aimed at increasing transparency and public participation.
Details on the RFP are available here.
The I-70 East Project proposes an additional managed lane for both directions of the interstate between I-25 and I-225, the removal of the adjacent viaduct, lowering the interstate between Brighton Blvd. and Colorado Blvd. and building a four-acre cover over a section of the lowered interstate area. CDOT expects to release an environmental impact statement on the project in January.
CDOT, the HPTE and the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBO) received statements of qualification (SOQ) from five entities in June to work on the public-private partnership (P3) project. Four were selected in July for this section of RFPs.
CDOT says it is looking for a developer team to “design and construct the project as well as to operate and maintain the corridor over an extended period”.
The RFP identifies the technical scope, contractual requirements and performance standards and requires the four developers selected to provide details on the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the project. They will also have to include and outline of how they will maintain transparency of the project as well as details on meeting the goals of the projects from the perspective of the state, general public and communities affected by the project.
Over an 8-month period, the RFP process will require several drafts to be produced. The remainder of the first draft will be released Sept. 29 and will be made available to the public as well. CDOT plans to select a developer next fall.
“We are excited to begin working with these teams to see what ideas and efficiencies they can bring to deliver this critical project to Colorado,” I-70 East Project Director Tony DeVito said. “This dialogue is a key purpose of the RFP process and I’m pleased that the public will be able to see the RFP evolve in the coming months.”
“HPTE is committed to engage Colorado residents and stakeholders and to gather input throughout the developer selection process,” HPTE Chairman Tim Gagen said. “We know transparency and engagement is a very important part of the process to select the right partner for this critical corridor project.”
