Construction on CO 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Project will start Sept. 23

News Release

September 18, 2024 - Northeastern Colorado - Improvements coming to CO 119 from Longmont to Boulder

Boulder County — The Colorado Department of Transportation and Contractor, Kraemer North America, will begin construction of the Colorado Highway 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Improvements Project on Monday, Sept. 23.

The first phase of the project includes constructing the bikeway along the CO 119 corridor between Jay Road and Hover Street, as well as intersection improvements at Jay Road, Colorado Highway 52 and Niwot and Airport roads.

CDOT, the Regional Transportation District and Boulder County are working together to mitigate increased traffic congestion, delays and crashes and expand transportation options beyond private automobiles through this project. If your usual travel route will be impacted by construction, remember to take alternate routes or use Colorado’s public transportation services for easier access to and from your final destination.

As part of this work, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike may notice increased construction equipment in the area, traffic delays and lane shifts at shoulders along the corridor and the above-mentioned intersections throughout the project duration. Additionally, there will be lane closures at various times near the following intersections: Jay Road, CO 52, 71st Street, Niwot Road, Oxford Road, 83rd Street, and Airport and Connector roads.

What is the CO 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Improvements Project?

By the year 2040, the Diagonal Highway between Boulder and Longmont is expected to see a 25 percent increase in vehicular traffic. Increased traffic can result in more congestion, delay, tailpipe emissions and potentially more crashes.

The CO 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Project is constructing safety, mobility and bikeway improvements to make traveling through the corridor safer for all modes and transit travel faster and more reliable. The project is designed to integrate with other active multimodal projects on the corridor to ensure community members can safely and reliably travel throughout the corridor using their mode(s) of choice.

This project will:

  • Improve safety in the whole corridor
  • Maximize the number of people able to move through the corridor
  • Maximize intersection operational efficiency
  • Improve transit travel times and increase ridership
  • Maximize corridor-wide operational efficiency
  • Increase opportunities for bicycle commuting and connectivity to the bicycle and pedestrian network

Specific corridor improvements include:

  • New signage, striping and improved signal timing at all pedestrian crossings at signalized intersections
  • Signal timing adjustments at key intersections (Jay Road, 63rd Street, Colorado Highway 52, Niwot Road and Airport Road)
  • Physically reconfiguring the CO 52 intersection to improve safety and to accommodate new Bus Rapid Transit stations and Boulder County’s Commuter Bikeway between the northbound and southbound travel lanes
  • Changing access at Airport Road and CO 119 to reduce crashes and to improve safety and traffic flow
  • Construction is expected to start as early as Monday, Sept. 23, and be complete by Spring 2027. Kraemer North America is the General Contractor for this project

During construction, CO 119 will largely remain configured as it currently operates, with various lane shifts and closures. Additional notice information will be provided prior to any major closures or detour routes throughout the project duration. In addition, lane and shoulder widths will be minimized. The speed limit will be reduced. Please pay attention and follow posted speed limit signs.

Project contacts:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!