Denver to Close I-270 and US 36 Bridge This Weekend
The Colorado Department of Transportation is closing the interchange for essential bridge maintenance starting Friday.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Car Maintenance
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The Colorado Department of Transportation will close the I-270 and US 36 bridge over I-25 in Denver from October 23-26, 2026. This closure includes the I-270 off-ramp to northbound I-25 to allow crews to install new expansion joints.
Why it matters
The closure is part of the ongoing I-270 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Phase 2 project, which aims to improve infrastructure longevity. Completing this work requires a full shutdown of the affected lanes to ensure crew and driver safety during the installation process.
The bridge closure begins at 10 p.m. on Friday and continues until 6 a.m. on Monday. This project is a critical component of the I-270 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Phase 2 efforts.
The players
Colorado Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for managing and maintaining the transportation infrastructure system across Colorado.
The details
Drivers heading eastbound on US 36 and I-270 will be redirected to the southbound I-25 exit and onto eastbound I-70. Traffic coming from northbound I-25 will be detoured via North Federal Boulevard and West 120th Avenue for the duration of the work.
Timeline
The bridge closure takes place from 10 p.m. Friday, October 23, to 6 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2026.
A second closure is scheduled for November 6-9, 2026.
Roadmap
This project reflects the broader push by the state to rehabilitate aging highway infrastructure to extend the service life of major interchanges. By prioritizing preventative maintenance, transportation officials aim to avoid more disruptive and costly full-scale bridge replacements.
Commuters should expect delays and plan for additional travel time by using the designated detour routes on I-70 or North Federal Boulevard. Drivers are advised to check the official status before heading out to avoid the restricted bridge area.
The takeaway
Drivers should prepare for significant rerouting by utilizing the suggested highway detours instead of local shortcuts. Monitoring official transportation alerts this weekend will help ensure you avoid the closed bridge sections.
What happens next
A second bridge closure related to this project is scheduled to take place from November 6-9, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on navigating road work, visit Car Maintenance.
More information
For project updates and detour maps, visit the CDOT website.
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