DENVER — The Central 70 project, which will reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70 between Brighton Boulevard and Chambers Road, begins Saturday with the demolition of the old Colonial Motel at 46th and Clayton.
The Motel, which predates the interstate, will not be imploded it will be torn down piecemeal.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is talking with several museums to see if they might have a desire to acquire the motel's historic road sign.
CDOT spokeswoman Gabby Dyer said once the motel is demolished, several other shuttered businesses and homes will follow.
She said actual construction would begin this summer.
For two years, crews will construct new lanes "below grade" to the north of the existing interstate.
The elevated portion of I-70 and 46th Avenue underneath will remain open during that period.
Then, traffic will be transferred over to the new lanes while the elevated structure is demolished and replaced with new lanes below grade.
46th Avenue will be reconstructed "at grade" with roads on both sides of the freeway.
The total project will last four years and will cost an estimated $1.2 billion.
