Interstate 70 reopened Monday morning after the weekend closure for a “historic traffic shift,” the Colorado Department of Transportation said.

The interstate was closed from Friday night to Monday morning for the “Mile High Shift” between Washington Street and Interstate 270.

The closure allowed CDOT crews to work around the clock to move all six lanes of traffic between Brighton and Colorado boulevards from the existing viaduct to the future westbound lanes of the lowered section of the Central 70 Project through north Denver.

The shift allowed crews to then begin demolishing the structurally deficient 57-year-old viaduct and build the future eastbound lanes of I-70 and 46th South Avenue.

The new traffic configuration moves the interstate about 30 feet below ground.

Demolition of the viaduct began Saturday morning and crews reconfigured interchanges to move traffic into the lowered section.

Eastbound and westbound traffic will have three lanes in the lowered section.

“We are incredibly proud of everything our crews have accomplished since groundbreaking in August 2018 and over the weekend to make this historical shift happen,” said CDOT project director Bob Hays.

“We want to thank motorists for their patience during this closure as we know that detouring around your normal route can be inconvenient, but we were able to perform critical work all while keeping motorists safe.”

CDOT is advising drivers to leave earlier than usual if they are planning to drive through the new section of the interstate.

Slow-downs through the tunnel are expected over the next one to two weeks.

Crews over the coming months will continue to demolish the viaduct then begin work on the new eastbound section, which is scheduled to open in February 2023.

The demolition of the viaduct between Brighton and Colorado boulevards is expected to take five months.

The viaduct is no long able to accommodate the nearly 200,000 drivers who use the stretch of the interstate.

“The viaduct demolition represents Denver’s incredible growth over the past six decades,” Hays said. “This demolition is a major transportation milestone, but also a moment to pause and reflect on how the Denver metro area has evolved since the 1960s. We’re excited to start this next phase and continue to help contribute to the state’s future.”

The viaduct will be demolished in sections, usually during daytime hours. Depending on the section being demolished, local street closures and some overnight I-70 lane and ramp closures will be required.

Netting and sound curtains will be installed to protect adjacent structures from falling debris and from damaging commercial or residential properties.

Interstate 70 reopened Monday morning after the weekend closure for a “historic traffic shift,” the Colorado Department of Transportation said.

The interstate was closed from Friday night to Monday morning for the “Mile High Shift” between Washington Street and Interstate 270.

The closure allowed CDOT crews to work around the clock to move all six lanes of traffic between Brighton and Colorado boulevards from the existing viaduct to the future westbound lanes of the lowered section of the Central 70 Project through north Denver.

The shift allowed crews to then begin demolishing the structurally deficient 57-year-old viaduct and build the future eastbound lanes of I-70 and 46th South Avenue.

The new traffic configuration moves the interstate about 30 feet below ground.

Demolition of the viaduct began Saturday morning and crews reconfigured interchanges to move traffic into the lowered section.

Eastbound and westbound traffic will have three lanes in the lowered section.

“We are incredibly proud of everything our crews have accomplished since groundbreaking in August 2018 and over the weekend to make this historical shift happen,” said CDOT project director Bob Hays.

“We want to thank motorists for their patience during this closure as we know that detouring around your normal route can be inconvenient, but we were able to perform critical work all while keeping motorists safe.”

CDOT is advising drivers to leave earlier than usual if they are planning to drive through the new section of the interstate.

Slow-downs through the tunnel are expected over the next one to two weeks.

Crews over the coming months will continue to demolish the viaduct then begin work on the new eastbound section, which is scheduled to open in February 2023.

The demolition of the viaduct between Brighton and Colorado boulevards is expected to take five months.

The viaduct is no long able to accommodate the nearly 200,000 drivers who use the stretch of the interstate.

“The viaduct demolition represents Denver’s incredible growth over the past six decades,” Hays said. “This demolition is a major transportation milestone, but also a moment to pause and reflect on how the Denver metro area has evolved since the 1960s. We’re excited to start this next phase and continue to help contribute to the state’s future.”

The viaduct will be demolished in sections, usually during daytime hours. Depending on the section being demolished, local street closures and some overnight I-70 lane and ramp closures will be required.

Netting and sound curtains will be installed to protect adjacent structures from falling debris and from damaging commercial or residential properties.