US 85 & Weld County Road 18 Improvements Project Starts Oct. 17

WELD COUNTY—On Wednesday, Oct. 17, crews will begin resurfacing and installng a traffic signal at the intersection of US Highway 85 and Weld County Road 18.

This $1.7 million project will improve safety in the area and extend each road's service life. Typical working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays through late spring 2019 (weather dependent).

"We're excited to begin this safety improvement project," said Allen Wood, the CDOT engineer overseeing the project. "While construction may affect traffic and be a temporary nuisance to commuters, this project will have a meaningful impact on the safety of those who live, work, shop and drive along this stretch of US 85."

Travel Impacts

The project team will divide project work into multiple phases to minimize traffic impacts:

1. For phase 1, starting Wednesday, southbound traffic on US 85 should be prepared for right-lane closures. Also, the west side of the US 85-WCR 18 intersection will be closed. Traffic will be detour at WCR 14 1/2.
   
   The speed limit on US 85 will be reduced to 55 mph through the work zone.
   
   
2. During phase 2, starting in December, crews will close the east side of WCR 18 to through-traffic as they resurface that corner of the intersection.
   
   
3. Weather permitting, in February, crews will rebuild the center lanes of US 85. Delays will be possible.
   
   
4. In spring 2019, crews will install traffic signals at the intersection. While the structures are safely mounted, there will be temporary lane closures and traffic stops in the work zone.