A person in crisis on a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 225 brought northbound traffic to a halt in Aurora on Tuesday, as police shut down all lanes near Iliff and set up a wide safety perimeter.
Aurora officers responded to the bridge that spans the freeway near East Florida Avenue and made contact with the individual on the structure. While they tried to talk with the person, traffic headed north on I-225 was diverted off the highway.
In an alert posted to its official social feed, the Aurora Police Department said officers were in contact with “a person experiencing a crisis” on the bridge and confirmed that “all lanes of northbound I-225 at Iliff have been shut down,” while southbound lanes remained open. Drivers were advised they could use East Mississippi Avenue to get back onto the interstate, according to X.
Traffic And Detours
Police urged drivers to steer clear of the area and follow posted detours while officers worked the scene. They reminded the public that emergencies should be reported by calling 9-1-1, and that non-emergency calls can go to Aurora Police Dispatch at 303-627-3100, according to the City of Aurora.
Where The Bridge Sits
The pedestrian bridge is part of the Florida light-rail station area and stretches over I-225, tying the Medical Center of Aurora and nearby neighborhoods to the station and developments on the east side of the highway. The span was designed as a major connector in the R-Line station area to boost walking and biking options across the freeway, according to the City of Aurora.
Crisis Response And Resources
Aurora’s response to mental health emergencies includes a dedicated Crisis Response Team (CRT), a partnership between the police department and UCHealth that focuses on people in acute crisis. The city’s mental health resources note that anyone in immediate danger should call 9-1-1, while Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) and the 988 Lifeline can provide crisis support, and non-emergent CRT referrals can be left at 303-739-6039, according to the Aurora Police Department…