Denver International Airport Set to Begin Improvements on Peña Boulevard

DENVER – July 10, 2020 – Next week, Denver International Airport (DEN) will begin work on a capital improvement project that enhances safety and replaces aging infrastructure on a portion of Peña Boulevard between Jackson Gap Street and Jeppesen Terminal. Construction on the project is expected to start July 13 and be complete in summer 2021.

This project will:

• Improve traffic flow to accommodate current and future growth of the airport
• Improve safety for the traveling public by reducing the weaving patterns near the terminal and adding lanes to inbound Peña Boulevard
• Improve routes for ground transportation providers and rental car shuttles
• Replace aging infrastructure that is over 25 years old

As part of the project, the Return-to-Terminal route, which allows drivers on outbound Peña Boulevard to turn back to the terminal, will be relocated to Jackson Gap Street, about one mile from the current route. The new free-flow loop at Jackson Gap Street will improve traffic flow and simplify the route for traffic returning to the terminal. This phase of the project will be complete by early 2021.

Additionally, two additional lanes of traffic on inbound Peña between Jackson Gap Street and the terminal will be constructed to help reduce congestion and improve safety, capacity and traffic flow. Aging and failing infrastructure, including pavement that has been in place for over 25 years, will also be replaced.

To safely construct these improvements, crews will close one lane of inbound Peña Boulevard between Jackson Gap Street and 80th Avenue. This lane closure will be in place beginning the week of July 13 for at least eight weeks. Additionally, concrete barriers have been placed in the work area and speed limits have been reduced on Peña Boulevard between E-470 and Jeppesen terminal.

Here are a few tips for passengers during construction:

• Allow extra time to arrive at the terminal before your flight
• Visit flydenver.com/PenaProject to view traffic impacts
• Follow posted speed limits
• Be cautious of construction activity and workers
• Pay attention to all signage
• Avoid distractions while driving

This phase of the Peña Improvement Project is part of DEN’s bond-funded $3.5 billion capital improvement program that is meant to improve and expand existing airport infrastructure to meet current and future growth needs. The project was approved by Denver City Council in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in passenger traffic volumes, the scope of the project has been scaled back from what was originally planned. Work is moving forward on a portion of the project to improve the safety of Peña Boulevard while traffic to the airport is below normal.

The $30 million project is being completed by Interstate Highway Construction and is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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