US 34 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study - Project Finalized January 2019
US 34 is a critical east-west transportation link for northern Colorado's large and growing communities. Development along US 34 is increasing travel demand and necessitating the need to improve safety for users, reduce congestion and improve mobility.
CDOT assessed various improvement opportunities on US 34 to address these needs. The final US 34 PEL Study here defines a corridor vision which improves mobility, reliability, and safety. The study recommendations are a roadmap for a variety of projects and solutions that CDOT and its local government partners will work toward implementing. An Access Control Plan (ACP) was prepared in conjunction with the US 34 PEL. The final ACP may be reviewed here.
The purpose of highway improvements is to preserve US 34 as a vital east-west regional transportation corridor. Improvements will link and move people, goods, and information reliably and adapt to future travel demands and funding opportunities.
Highway improvements are needed to:
- Increase safety. The need for corridor improvements to support the increases in development and travel demand has resulted in safety concerns at intersections and other locations along the US 34 corridor.
- Accommodate increased travel and tourism demands to maintain the economic vitality of the region. Northern Colorado communities are among the fastest growing in the nation. Growth has spurred economic benefits and provides funding to improve infrastructure and amenities that make these communities desirable.
- Increase reliability of east-west regional travel, while balancing local access, mobility and freight needs. Traffic congestion can dampen the benefits of job growth and recreation opportunities that the region provides to new and long- time residents.
Successful alternatives will:
- Be compatible with the natural and human environment.
- Support community land use and aesthetics goals.
- Be fiscally responsible and implementable.
- Reduce risk and increase reliability.
- Accommodate emerging technology.
CDOT is focused on developing a clear and supported plan of action for US 34. The PEL study aims to reach consensus among stakeholders for the vision, phasing and financing of transportation solutions on US 34, building upon past studies and projects in the area.
The expected outcome of this PEL study will be an implementation plan that identifies short-term, mid-term, and long-term safety and mobility improvements that can be constructed immediately and into the future. The implementation plan will be developed with corridor communities and other interested stakeholders, who will help prioritize and identify funding sources for recommended improvements.
Concurrently, CDOT will recommend and develop portions of the corridor for Access Control Plan implementation.
