Officials from CDOT, Town of Windsor, and City of Fort Collins Break Ground on the I-25/State Highway 392 Interchange Improvement Project

“In recent years, we have experienced a tremendous amount of growth in northern Colorado, resulting in higher traffic volumes and more congestion,” said CDOT Chief Engineer Tim Harris. “This project will provide for a safer and more efficient interchange at this critical location and will allow for continued growth and economic development.”

The $17.5 million project will replace the SH 392 bridge over I-25 with one that is wider to accommodate two through lanes and a left turn lane in each direction. There will also be a six-foot bike lane and a 6.5-foot sidewalk on each side of the bridge. The frontage road on the west side of the interchange will be realigned and the ramps will be reconstructed to accommodate more traffic. In addition, an expanded 90-space carpool/vanpool lot will be constructed in the southwest corner of the interchange.

“This project is a remarkable example of regional cooperation. Through partnership, the City of Fort Collins, the Town of Windsor, and CDOT will fix a failed interchange and revitalize a key gateway to our communities,” said Mayor Karen Weitkunat of the City of Fort Collins. “Along with enhancing safety and easing congestion, improvements will embody community values by protecting viewsheds, strengthening economic activity, conserving surrounding wetlands and balancing the built and natural environment.”

Currently, SH 392 over I-25 carries 18,900 vehicles a day and that number is expected to increase to 44,300 vehicles a day by 2035. In addition, the ramps at the interchange currently carry 4,800 vehicles a day with projections showing an increase to 15,200 vehicles a day. The interchange improvements have been designed with the 2035 traffic projections in mind to accommodate additional growth and future improvements to I-25.

“This project is the culmination of many years of vision and planning. It represents a great model for collaborative partnerships and consensus building,” said Mayor John Vazquez of the Town of Windsor. “It fulfills a major component of Windsor’s Strategic Plan in promoting, managing and facilitating effective transportation systems within the Town and the northern Colorado region.”

To construct the improvements at I-25/SH 392, crews will begin work on the northern half of the bridge and then move to the southern half of the bridge in late 2011 or early 2012. The majority of the roadway work should wrap up by June 2012 and the entire project will be complete in the spring of 2013 following the completion of landscaping and the retaining walls.

Lanes on SH 392 will remain open to traffic during the majority of the project, except during an eight-day period when the entire interchange will be closed to allow crews to realign the frontage road and place traffic onto the new westbound bridge. The full closure and realignment will likely take place towards the end of 2011. Lane closures on I-25 will only take place during the evening hours mainly for bridge demolition, girder installation and other overhead bridge work.

To receive e-mail updates throughout the project, including information on lane closures, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell phone icon in the upper right corner. You can then sign up for the “I-25 & SH 392 Interchange” list under projects.  For more information about the project, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/I-25SH392.

Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. is the contractor for this project. The project is being funded by CDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Fort Collins, and the Town of Windsor.