I-270 at Magnolia Street Photosimulations CDOT, Denver, Colorado Interstate 70 is the primary east west artery through the Denver metropolitan area. Many of its bridges and viaducts dated to the early interstate era and were in need of upgrade and replacement. A large portion of I-70 just east of I-25 was elevated on one of these aging viaducts badly in need of structural and capacity improvements. Half of this viaduct had been rebuilt by an earlier project. Major questions remained as to exactly how to replace the second half. The precise alignment was one these questions. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the answers. POITRA Visual was selected to provide design visualization services for the project.* The early alternatives that the EIS looked at included two alignments that re-routed I-70 with a long out of direction loop to the north. Part of the loop followed the I-270 Alignment.

POITRA created an aerial visual simulation of the proposed alternatives for I-70 at a later stage in the project.

Photosimulations | Mouse-over images below to toggle: E 1 2		1. Photosimulation of Proposed Widening: The I-270 South Alternative on mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with Sound Barriers.

An illustration was needed to visually demonstrate the retaining walls and sound barriers that would typically result from the widening of I-270. The two alignments would be shown at a single location with photosimulations in order to compare the alternatives in context. As with earlier segments of the corridor matching mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and post and panel sound barriers would be used. POITRA photographers collected multiple views that would allow the differences in the alternatives to be best described. The Project Engineer made the final view selection. The work required to prepare the base photographs was accomplished using traditional digital painting methods. Modelers at POITRA then created a 3D site model for the south and north alignments. The models included the new MSE walls, concrete jersey barriers and sound barriers. These models were camera matched, lighted, rendered and composited each with the appropriately prepared base photograph to create a final photosimulation for each alignment. CDOT used the finished simulations in I-70 East EIS meetings with the City and County of Denver and area residents during the public process. The simulations also appeared in the Draft EIS document. « BACK

Take a closer look! The highly developed skills of the Artists at POITRA Visual make your concept a reality. (click to magnify) Take Another Look! POITRA created an animated 3d model of the I-70 East SDEIS Preliminarily Identified Preferred Alternative at a later stage in the project. (click to magnify)