US 85 & Weld County Road 44 Interchange

About the Project:

A new grade-separated interchange will be constructed at the intersection at U.S. 85 and Weld County Road 44 in Peckham, Colorado. The purpose of the new interchange is to improve safety, eliminate interaction between roadway traffic and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), and provide efficient access control.

A new grade-separated interchange is needed to address the following issues:

• Safety – The current US 85 and WCR 44 intersection and roadway approaches experience higher than expected number of crashes due to the skewed angle of the intersection.
• Railroad Proximity – The proximity of the UPRR and the US 85/WCR 44 intersection negatively impacts the operations and safety of the intersection.
• Access – The current number, locations, and design of public roadway accesses have contributed to traffic operational and safety deficiencies along the corridor.

After considering several intersection configurations and discussing the alternatives with the public and local agencies, the new interchange includes the following improvements:

• Moving the existing US 85 and WCR 44 intersection north along US 85
• Continuing the grade-separation of WCR 44 over the UPRR to the east
• Constructing a roundabout at the west end of the grade-separated interchange
  
• Permanent closure of WCR 33 at US 85 and UPRR

Project Benefits:

• Reduces the potential of future crashes compared to the existing at-grade intersection
• Enhances mobility by separating vehicle traffic from crossing railroad tracks
  Improves operation and safety by consolidating access points

Work Schedule

• Project completion is expected in Spring 2024.
• General work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Limited night and weekend work are possible
• All work is weather-dependent and the schedule is subject to change
  
  

Traffic Impacts

• US 85 will remain open during construction.
• Expect frequent truck traffic and construction vehicles entering and exiting the work zone for grading and paving activities
• Daily lane closures are possible on US 85 (both directions) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in addition to traffic shifts for different construction phases
• Speed limit reductions and width restrictions will be in place as needed
• Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.