Pro Challenge Moves to Front Range

August 24, 2013 - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - LOVELAND — Cyclists are racing mountains and plains today as they travel 117 miles from Loveland to Estes Park and down to Fort Collins on Stage Six of the USA Pro Challenge (USAPC).

Drivers should expect the following state highway and interchange closures (times are approximate):

  • U.S. 36 eastbound and westbound between Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Road and State Highway (SH) 7 – closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • U.S. 287 southbound between East 6th Street and East 1st Street in Loveland – closed 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • SH 7 northbound and southbound between Kiowa Trail and U.S. 36 – closed 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Interstate 25 at SH 392 Interchange (Exit 262) – closed 11 a.m. to noon.
  • I-25 at Crossroads Boulevard (Exit 259) – closed 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • I-25 at U.S. 34 (Exit 257) – closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • SH 392 eastbound and westbound between I-25 and 2nd Street – closed 11:30 a.m. to noon.

o  Alternate interchanges for closures above: Harmony Road (Exit 265) and SH 402 (Exit 255).

  • U.S. 287 northbound and southbound between East Mulberry Street and LaPorte Avenue in Fort Collins – closed 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • U.S. 34 at Centerra Parkway in Loveland – closed noon to 12:30 p.m.
  • U.S. 34 eastbound and westbound between County Road 29 (entrance to Big Thompson Canyon) and Mall Road in Estes Park, and between Elkhorn Avenue and Maraine Avenue in Estes Park – closed noon to 3 p.m.
  • U.S. 34 Bypass in Estes Park (Wonderview Avenue) will have rolling closures between MacGregor Avenue and Elkhorn Avenue/U.S. 36/U.S. 34 Business, and Big Thompson Avenue west of Mall Road –noon to 3 p.m.

The times for delays and closures are estimates only and may be subject to change depending on the pace of the riders, weather, and other unforeseen circumstances. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds drivers to obey road signs, the Colorado State Patrol, and race officials.

CDOT suggests using I-25 (except interchanges listed above) and SH 14 to avoid the race.

Other impacted non-state roadways include North Fairground Avenue, Crossroads Boulevard, and Centerra Parkway in the Loveland area, County Road 43 near Drake,  Larimer County Roads 29, 27, 38E, and 42C, and Mulberry Street in Fort Collins.

Today and tomorrow, USAPC traveler information will be available at the CDOT website:www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/.  It lists all highways impacted by each race stage, and also refers visitors to official websites for local road closures. The site also contains information for motorists regarding anticipated delays, oversize/overweight restrictions, suggested alternative routes, long-term parking information, and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon.  Following CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot) also provides current updates. Daily road closure information during the event will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state or by visiting www.cotrip.org.

Tomorrow’s Highway Impacts (Final Stage):

  • August 26/Stage 7/Denver Circuit: U.S. 40/287 (Colfax Avenue) between Sherman Street and Speer Boulevard.  Impacts begin at 11 a.m. and end by approximately 4 p.m.