DENVER (KDVR) — It's the site of 200 car accidents a year and countless backups that can make you late for your plane. But all that could change if developers decide on one of several plans to expand Peña Boulevard.
The road is a lifeline in and out of one of the busiest airports in the country and on the planet: Denver International Airport. Planners are looking into options to expand this road to neighboring communities and the 130,000 vehicles that travel along it daily.
When Federico Peña was Denver's mayor, the DIA was just an idea in his mind for the city's future. In 2023, it served 77 million passengers.
“Our airport was originally designed to accommodate 50 million passengers,” said Lisa Nguyen, transportation planner at Doha International Airport.
Peña Boulevard may soon see an upgrade, and not just for commuters, she said.
“There are a lot of employees,” Nguyen said. “We have 40,000 employees at Denver International Airport.”
The route to Denver Airport may see changes, or none
How do you get so many people, millions of passengers, in and out of the airport?
Nguyen said airport officials are considering all options — possibilities like a carpool lane, dynamic tolls, or a bus-only lane.
These – and perhaps no changes at all – are part of the Peña Boulevard master plan. Public input has been in place since 2022, and the public can still have their say online.
The plan still has one more phase: the federal environmental portion, which will take two to three years, after which planners will find a way to pay for any project that is approved.
“If we don't do anything, it probably won't take as long,” Nguyen said. “But of course, if we did some more extensive construction, it could take five to 10 years.”
Planners are paving a new route to make travel along Peña Boulevard easier.
“We are definitely thinking about sustainable transportation,” Nguyen said.
Part of the Peña Boulevard plan could guarantee emergency home delivery for airport employees who use public transportation.
Another idea is priority security lines for anyone arriving at the airport via public transportation.
