Map of the Denver-Aurora Metro Area With I-470 Hi lighted in Red
Interstate 470 (I-470) is a 82 mile Partially-tolled bypass loop auxiliary Interstate Highway of Interstate 70 in The Denver-Aurora Metro Area in Colorado And is Maintained by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CODOT) and the E-470 Public Highway Authority. It has 3 sections SH 470 Built in 1975, E-470 Built in 1991, and The Northwest Parkway Built in 2003.
SH 470 Was Originally Going to Become I-470 but got Canceled. In the 1960s the Colorado Department of Transportation perceived a need for a beltway around the Denver Metro Area and sent a proposal to the Federal Highway Administration. The plan was for the federal government to provide 90% of funds for the project with the state providing the difference. I-470 was added to the Federal Highway Act of 1968 and was to be part of the Interstate Highway and Defense System. The Denver City Council approved the location and began engineering and environmental impact studies. After a few months the studies went under analysis with negative feedback. The Colorado Department of Health was opposed to the interstate beltway on the grounds that it would violate the Federal Clean Air Act. Other studies compared the proposed I-470 to the I-25 and I-225 freeways suggesting that alternate uses for the land (other than freeways) would be more environmentally friendly.
The Highway also Passes Buckley AFB and Denver Intl. Airport .
In 2012 the CODOT Announced that they will combine SH 470, E-470, and The Northwest Parkway to Become I-470 (While the E-470 Authority will still be active co-operating the entire highway and The Northwest Parkway section keeping It's Name) In 2013 the transformation was completed and the entire route became I-470 In 2014 They Built an extension from the Northwest Parkway to The Beginning of I-470 Where US Route 6 Meets Making I-470 a Complete loop.