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Interstate 225

Routing

Interstate 225 connects Interstate 25 near the Denver Technology Center with Interstate 70 near the interchange with Pena Boulevard. Connected with Pena Boulevard, it is one of the fastest routes from the south suburbs to Denver International Airport (although E-470 offers competition). This is the only child route of Interstate 25.

History

Interstate 225 was constructed in stages between 1964 and 1976, starting at Interstate 70 and working its way gradually south. The specific milestone dates of the various segments are as follows:

  • May 1964 - Segment from Interstate 70 interchange south to Colfax Avenue (U.S. 40-287 and Business Loop I-70) is under construction
  • June 1966 - Segment from Colfax Avenue south to East Sixth Avenue opens
  • 1969 - Mississippi Avenue Bridges constructed
  • September 3, 1971 - segment from Mississippi Avenue south to Colorado 83 (Parker Road) opens
  • May 27, 1975 - segment from Colorado 83 (Parker Road) southwest to Yosemite Street opens
  • May 21, 1976 - final segment from Yosemite Street southwest to Interstate 25 and U.S. 87 opens
  • October 1992 to September 1997 - Interstate 225 and Interstate 70 interchange reconstructed in stages
  • October 1994 - widened to six lanes from Interstate 70 south to Smith Road
  • November 1997 - widened to six lanes between Colfax Avenue and Sand Creek
  • December 1997 - widened to six lanes between Sixth Avenue and Colfax Avenue
  • September 2000 - construction begins on flyover ramp from northbound Colorado 83/Parker Road to southbound Interstate 225
  • 2002 - Alameda Avenue interchange opens (after being approved by voters in November 1997)
  • 2005 - widened to six lanes from Parker Road to Interstate 25 (part of T-REX project)

Interstate 225 - North
The first exit along northbound Interstate 225 is Exit 2, Tamarac Street, which leads to the Denver Technology Center. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction Colorado 83 (Parker Road) at Exit 4. The Cherry Creek Dam sits to the south and east of Interstate 225, and it overshadows the road as it approaches the Colorado 83 exit. The Parker Road interchange itself is being widened and configured, and these photos from February 2002 show the construction efforts continuing apace. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Interstate 225 rides in the shadow of the massive Cherry Creek Lake earthen dam as it approaches Exit 3, Junction Colorado 83/Parker Road. The dam is visible in this photo to the southeast of the freeway. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Exit 3, Junction Colorado 83/Parker Road, one-half mile. Colorado 83 leads northwest to Denver and Glendale and south to Parker and Colorado Springs. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 at Exit 3, Junction Colorado 83/Parker Road. Photo taken 11/10/03.
View of northbound Interstate 225 at the Parker Road interchange. This interchange was under construction in Winter 2002 but largely complete by Fall 2003. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Most of the reassurance shields along northbound are neutered, but a few state name shields remain on the mainline, such as the next one depicted after Exit 7/Mississippi Avenue. This particular shield is located after the Parker Road interchange. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 at Exit 5, Iliff Avenue. A litter control sign conveniently obscured the guide sign. Photo taken 11/10/03.
This shield for Interstate 225 is located on northbound after Exit 5/Iliff Avenue and before Exit 7/Mississippi Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Mississippi Avenue, Exit 7. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 at Mississippi Avenue, Exit 7. Photo taken 11/10/03.
View of the guide signs present at the end of the exit ramp from northbound to Mississippi Avenue at Exit 7. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 at Exit 8, Alameda Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction Colorado 30, 6th Avenue at Exit 9. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 at Exit 9, Junction Colorado 30/6th Avenue. Colorado 30 follows 6th Avenue briefly, from Havana Street east to Gun Club Road. This section of 6th Avenue does not meet up with the U.S. 6 section of 6th Avenue west of downtown. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Colorado 30 shield at the base of the offramp from northbound onto Exit 9 (6th Avenue). Photo taken 02/02/02.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 225 is U.S. 40-287/Business Loop I-70, which follow Colfax Avenue through Aurora. The road forms the county line between Arapahoe County and Adams County. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 225 after the onramp from Exit 9, Colorado 30/6th Avenue. The next two exits are Junction Business Loop I-70/U.S. 40-287/Colfax Avenue and Junction Interstate 70/U.S. 36/Pena Boulevard. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction U.S. 40 and 287 (Colfax Avenue). Although this exit sign is better than the one on Interstate 25 (which only lists U.S. 40), it is still not perfect: It is missing the Business Loop I-70 designation. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Offramp from northbound onto Colfax Avenue at Exit 10. It is not clear why there are blue signs with Interstate 70 shields, but it is probably some sort of construction or detour alternative route. It does not seem to have anything to do with the missing business loop shields. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction Interstate 70/U.S. 36 (Exit 12). This marks the northern terminus of Interstate 225. This interchange was reconstructed in the late 1990s. Photos taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction Interstate 70/U.S. 36 (Exit 12). This marks the northern terminus of Interstate 225. This interchange was reconstructed in the late 1990s. Photos taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 225 approaching Junction Interstate 70/U.S. 36 (Exit 12). This marks the northern terminus of Interstate 225. This interchange was reconstructed in the late 1990s. Photos taken 11/10/03.
Transition from northbound Interstate 225 onto westbound Interstate 70/U.S. 36. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Westbound Interstate 70/U.S. 36 comes into view on the transition ramp from northbound Interstate 225. This is fairly significant interchange, and it has been reconstructed over the last decade to accommodate high speed connections between the two freeways and to allow for connections to Pena Boulevard, which leads northeast to Denver International Airport. Photo taken 02/02/02.
View of the signage for eastbound Interstate 70 (U.S. 36) and Pena Boulevard as seen from the transition ramp from northbound to westbound. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Other Interstate 225 Pictures
Interstate 225 Colorado shield on entrance ramp from eastbound Iliff Avenue onto Northbound Interstate 225. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Neutered Interstate 225 guide sign and shields along eastbound Iliff Avenue. Photos taken 02/02/02.
Interstate 225 Colorado shields along westbound Colfax Avenue (context and close-up ... or at least as close as one can get without standing in the traffic flow!). Photos taken 02/02/02.

Page Updated March 14, 2006.