CDOT and City of Fort Collins to host open house on roads Aug. 28
The public is invited to hear about several major projects underway for transportation in and around Fort Collins, including the repaving project for US 287 (College Avenue), the reconstruction of the Poudre River Bridge on US 14 (Mulberry), the widening of US 287 North of Fort Collins to LaPorte and the City’s Midtown in Motion plan.
While there will be plenty of information about each of these at the open house, here is a brief description of each one:
SH 14 over the Poudre River
This project involves replacing the existing State Highway (SH) 14/Mulberry Street bridge over the Cache La Poudre River in Fort Collins west of I-25. Originally built in 1949, the existing bridge is structurally deficient and warrants replacement as part of the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBE). The existing bridge will be replaced with one that is wider to meet current standards, accommodate bicycle lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians. CDOT will also construct new retaining walls and storm sewer, as well as reconstruct the east access to the Waste Water Treatment plant. This project will be coordinated with a separate project that will relocate the pedestrian/trail bridge from the project site. Unfortunately, many of Colorado's bridges are in disrepair or poor condition (more than 120 across the state), many of which are used every day. Replacing this bridge will not only create a safer ride for motorists, but also create a more efficient transportation system to support economic and job growth in the area.
US 287 Resurfacing
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is underway on a highway construction project on US 287 (College Avenue), between 29th Street in Loveland, CO and Mulberry Rd in Fort Collins. Work on this project consists of milling and resurfacing the driving surface, signing and striping.
When completed, the project will create a safer trip through the corridor for motorists, as well as update ADA standards for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The resurfacing project will be delivered in three phases:
- Phase I: US 287 From Carpenter Rd (SH 392) to Harmony Rd- This phase is nearly complete. The project was awarded to Coulson Excavating Company.
- Phase II: US 287 from 29th Street to Carpenter Rd (SH 392) - The project has been awarded to Coulson Excavating Company
- Phase III: US 287 from Harmony Rd to Mulberry Rd - This phase is currently in design and will go to advertisement spring of 2015.
US 287 widening north of Fort Collins
This project will widen the highway to two lanes in each direction from SH 1 north to LaPorte. One lane will be added in each direction in addition to a 16-foot median. A roundabout will be built at the LaPorte bypass to replace the existing traffic signal. Pedestrian facilities and widened shoulders will be built along the length of the project. This will help improve traffic flows and congestion.
Midtown in Motion:
College Avenue is the most traveled thoroughfare in the City of Fort Collins and the majority of the street design is over 50 years old. Recognizing College Avenue needs an update, the City set out to identify the vision for redevelopment along the corridor. In October 2013, the Midtown Plan was adopted by the City Council outlining broad policies for the future of College Avenue. Midtown in Motion marks the launch of the second phase of transforming College Avenue between Prospect and Harmony Roads, including the frontage roads and connections to the new MAX stations. Among the goals of the Midtown in Motion plan are to develop design concepts that increase mobility, safety and transform College Avenue into a “world class” street.
