In a blow to critics of the $1.2 billion Interstate 70 expansion, a federal judge on Thursday denied a request to halt the state from providing money for several large Denver stormwater projects.

U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez also dismissed three claims in the lawsuit that hinged on flood-protection links between the city drainage projects and the I-70 plan. But several other claims remain active, keeping the case alive.

The ruling came in an environmental challenge filed against the I-70 project in July. The plaintiffs, led by developer Kyle Zeppelin, argue that the Colorado Department of Transportation and city officials have obscured the extent of the link between the controversial highway expansion and the city drainage projects, resulting in CDOT failing to consider all impacts fully in the I-70 environmental impact review.

Regarding the plaintiffs’ attempt to stop the drainage projects, the judge found he had little power to intervene. The suit doesn’t target the city of Denver, so the plaintiffs could only ask Martinez to issue a stay against CDOT from providing remaining payments under a city-state cost-sharing agreement that covers the drainage work and I-70.

If he ordered CDOT to withhold $24.7 million it still owes to the city, it likely would not prevent Denver Public Works from proceeding on the drainage work, Martinez wrote in a 39-page decision. The judge held an all-day hearing on that issue Nov. 3.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Aaron Goldhamer said he could ask Martinez to reconsider the dismissal of the three major drainage-related claims.

“We (also) are evaluating whether to add the city of Denver as a defendant to the case alongside the Federal Highway Administration and CDOT, which may address the technical standing and redressability issues that were the basis for the order,” Goldhamer wrote in an email.

Two of four main projects under the city’s $298 million Platte to Park Hill program already are underway, including early work on the component that will install a detention area on City Park Golf Course as part of a full redesign. Two other projects haven’t begun yet.

Both I-70 and the drainage projects have been targeted aggressively in court. So far, opponents of both have had little success.

Thursday’s denial follows a ruling two weeks ago in Denver District Court against plaintiffs represented by Goldhamer in a separate lawsuit challenging the City Park detention project. The golf course changes will result in the removal of about 260 trees.

CDOT’s contractors plan to break ground on the massive highway project through northeast Denver early next year.

Shailen Bhatt, CDOT’s outgoing executive director, said in a news release that Thursday’s ruling served as “important confirmation of the diligence and effort CDOT has devoted to preparing to deliver a safer and less congested I-70.”