Get ready for Denver’s version of “carmageddon” or "truckpocalypse" this weekend, when there will be a shutdown of part of Interstate 25 in the city’s southwest section. It's due to what’s known as the I-25 Gap Lane Project, where crews are working to add a fourth northbound lane. 

The route will initially close in both directions between Santa Fe Drive and the US 6 interchange on Friday, Aug. 8, at 10 p.m. and remain closed until 8 a.m. Saturday. The roadway will then be open throughout the day on Saturday. Then, on Saturday night at 10 p.m., both directions of I-25 will close again, reopening by 5 a.m. Monday. Crews will begin setting closures approximately one hour prior to the full closures being implemented.

“We can’t emphasize this strongly enough, avoid this area of I-25 during these closures if at all possible,” said Kevin Sullivan, Colorado Department of Transportation project director. “We expect extensive backups, prolonged travel delays and excessive traffic congestion if traffic numbers reach normal Sunday volumes.”

CDOT is also asking all regional through traffic to avoid the area altogether by using I-225, I-70, US 285, C-470, E-470 or any other alternate route.

Northbound I-25 will detour to northbound Santa Fe Drive, continue north to 8th Avenue, west on 8th Avenue to Kalamath Street, and south on Kalamath Street to westbound US 6 to reconnect with northbound I-25.

Southbound I-25 will detour west on US 6 to Federal Boulevard, south on Federal Boulevard to 5th Avenue to merge onto eastbound US 6, and east on US 6 to reconnect with southbound I-25. There could also be delays along eastbound US 6 near I-25 with additional traffic following this detour route.

More information is on the Colorado DOT website.