Environmental law firm Earthjustice filed a complaint against the plans, arguing that the proposed $1.2bn scheme breaches the Civil Rights Act because it will result in “disparate and severe environmental and economic impacts” that will primarily affect the region’s Latino communities.
The filing of the complaint has been accepted by both the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, and the investigation could last six months or more.
CDOT does not intend to let the timetable for the investigation affect its procurement process for the I-70 scheme, and plans to launch a final request for proposals to the four shortlisted teams for the Central I-70 P3 in spring next year.
I-70 facing civil rights investigation
The federal government has confirmed it is to investigate a civil rights complaint against the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) I-70 project.