DENVER -- Area business owners expect increased traffic to spill over onto Santa Fe Drive during the T-REX Interstate 25 expansion project could benefit the local economy.

T-REX, the most expensive road project in Colorado history, will expand and widen the southeast I-25 corridor. The project is a source of traffic concern to neighborhood associations and officials around the construction zone.

Many drivers will head for Santa Fe Drive to avoid the construction. When T-REX starts, there will be a lot more traffic at Santa Fe and Hampden Avenue, 7NEWS reported.

"I'm sure it's going to get really, really bad," one motorist said.

"I think it'll get really crowded on Santa Fe -- more than it already is," another driver said.

The flip side to this situation is that for the businesses along Santa Fe, more traffic means more money.

"Drive-by traffic is important for any business,"

Lori Coy works for the brand new Alexan City Center apartments, located near the light rail station near Hampden and Santa Fe.

"Someone driving by from Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch or up north downtown, sees our new apartment community, the asset of the location will obviously give us more leases in the end," Coy said.

There was a similar feeling at a Texaco near Santa Fe and Church Street.

"For a business, yes, it could be a very good thing," Texaco head cashier Fiona Perry said.

Increasing congestion looks to be a two way street for motorists and businesses on Santa Fe.

To help with the congestion, the Colorado Department of Transportation could expand the hours of the high occupancy vehicle lanes, or even open up the HOV lanes to all drivers.

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Additional Resources:

• T-REX Web Site
• Current Traffic and Road Conditions