Interstate 225 Colorado

History Southern Terminus Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 225 is the only three-digit auxiliary route from Interstate 25. The route acts as a connector between southeast Denver and Aurora. Began in 1964, Interstate 225 first saw construction at the Interstate 70 interchange in Aurora. From this location, section by section opened to traffic southward, culminating with the full-length opening of Interstate 225 on July 21, 1976 or May 21, 1976 (depending on which source you believe).¹ ² Interstate 225 was the main southeastern bypass, but a second bypass freeway was created with the completion of the E-470 Toll Highway. The area along Interstate 225 was originally not developed, but as population grew and new housing developments constructed, Interstate 225 became a busy corridor. In addition to housing development, business travelers use Interstate 225 and Colorado E-470 as the most direct route from the Denver International Airport to the Denver Tech Center.

Interstate 225 is part of the greater Denver "T-REX" highway construction project. The $1.72 billion project will see the expansion of both Interstates 25 and Interstate 225 with additional lanes and light rail corridors. For Interstate 225 that means a widening from four to six lanes between Interstate 25 and Park Road and an interchange reconstruction at the southern terminus. The six-year project is slated for completion in 2006.

See the Interstate 25 Guide for more details on the project.

History

For a history of the completion of Interstate 225 in Colorado, visit Interstate 225 @ AARoads.

Highway Guides

Interstate 225 Colorado

Southern Terminus - Interstate 25 - Denver, Colorado
Perspective from Interstate 225 South
This shows the south end. At left, the upper ramp is from southbound Interstate 25 to northbound Interstate 225; the ramp below that is northbound Interstate 25. The entrance from Southbound Interstate 225 to southbound Interstate 25 is obscured by the pickup; it goes under those overpasses. It comes out in the middle pipe visible in the photo below. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).
Perspective from Interstate 25 North
This is looking north on Interstate 25, shot from the Union Avenue overpass. One can see where southbound Interstate 225 traffic joins with Southbound Interstate 25. Northbound Interstate 25 to northbound Interstate 225 is just off to the right; it shows up better in the photo below. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).

This was also shot from Union, a ways left from the photo above, still looking north along Interstate 25. Northbound Interstate 225 begins to the right. The overpass is from southbound Interstate 25 to northbound Interstate 225. The "Exit Only" arrow points to the lanes that bring southbound Interstate 225 to southbound Interstate 25. That sign is shown close-up in the photo below. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).

Down on the surface now, this is the perspective from northbound Interstate 25 at the south beginning of Interstate 225. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).
Perspective from Interstate 25 South
This is the south beginning from southbound Interstate 25, as seen from the Quincy Avenue overpass. The overpass in the background is the aforementioned Union Avenue. A closeup of the signage is below. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).

This was shot from southbound Interstate 25. The south beginning of Interstate 225 is off to the left. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (4/01).
Northern Terminus - Interstate 70 - Aurora, Colorado
Perspective from Interstate 70 West
Westbound Interstate 70 collector/distributor. This picture shows the end of Interstate 225. The flyover is from westbound Interstate 70 to southbound Interstate 225. This entire interchange (and others nearby) was completely reconstructed in the mid-1990s, when Denver's new airport and Pena Boulevard (its access freeway) were built. Pena Boulevard is named for former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, who was in office during the construction of the airport. Pena went on to be a transportation secretary for former President Bill Clinton. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (5/01).

This sign marks where westbound Interstate 70 exits to southbound Interstate 225 (as the truck in the center is doing). Traffic merges with on-ramp from Chambers Road at right; the two green signs in the distance are visible in the photo below. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (5/01).

Further ahead, this is your last chance to commit to southbound Interstate 225. Mainline Interstate 70 is at left, on the other side of the concrete barrier. Traffic following the Interstate 70 sign here (most of which will be from Chambers) comes out in the ramp visible in the photo below, just above the white car in the foreground. This entire interchange was reconstructed in the mid- to late-1990s as part of upgrades to Interstate 70 through Denver. This sign assembly was modified (see below). Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (5/01).

By December 2001, the signage for the transition from westbound Interstate 70 to southbound Interstate 225 was modified slightly, as shown in this photo. Photo taken by Matt Salek (12/17/01).
Perspective from Interstate 70 East
This is the northern beginning of Interstate 225 as seen from eastbound Interstate 70. The flyover in the foreground is northbound Interstate 225 to eastbound Interstate 70. The other flyover is eastbound Interstate 70 to southbound Interstate 225. Photo taken by Dale Sanderson (5/01).