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Denver Delays A Line Shuttle, Tackles 37.6% Congestion With Road Projects
With congestion at 37.6 percent and a planned shuttle replacement on the A Line, city projects on Morrison Road and 17th/18th Avenues set the stage for near-term decisions.
How we reported this
Denver drivers are contending with an average congestion level of 37.6 percent, up 1.5 percentage points from 2024, while rush hour speeds average 35.2 km/h. This level of delay coincides with an upcoming change on the RTD A Line and active road reconstruction work across several corridors.
Current Highway and Rail Conditions
Major highways including I-25, I-70, I-76 and I-270 remain open with no chain controls required as of July 2, 2026. RTD A Line trains continue normal service between Union Station and 40th Ave & Airport Blvd. Eastbound drivers on sunny days encounter slowdowns and detours from sunrise until about 8:30 a.m. caused by sun glare on the highway.
Planned Service Change on July 25
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, shuttle buses will replace A Line trains between 40th Ave and the Denver Airport. This temporary substitution requires passengers to plan transfers at 40th Ave & Airport Blvd for airport access that day.
Ongoing Road and Bus Priority Work
The City of Denver is reconstructing Morrison Road and advancing the 17th/18th Avenues Bus Priority Project. Both efforts target improved safety and shorter travel times for pedestrians and bus riders. These projects represent the immediate infrastructure decisions facing the city as it manages measured congestion levels and scheduled rail adjustments.
Key Decisions Ahead
City planners will need to coordinate the July 25 shuttle operation with existing highway conditions and the Morrison Road reconstruction timeline. Decisions on how to integrate the 17th/18th Avenues Bus Priority Project with current rush-hour patterns will determine whether travel times for bus riders and pedestrians improve in the coming weeks.