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FOR RELEASE: US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project completes Phase 1 and proceeds with full Phase 2

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project has completed Phase 1 and will proceed with a full Phase 2, which includes new waterline work from US 34 and Taft Avenue to 18th Street, beginning Monday, Aug. 26.

Phase 1 included transportation work by removing the medians and light poles to realign the traffic at the intersection of US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue. For water and power improvements, crews replaced aging water valves and water mains at the intersection, as well as installing new traffic signal poles, electrical and communications utility work by pulling wire beneath US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard. Phase 2 included the repair of aging waterline and valves beneath the south edge of US 34 and Taft Avenue to 11th Street, which was completed this week. Public Works will continue construction on S. Taft Avenue to 8th Street by adding bike lanes, ADA sidewalks, curbs, gutters, as well as two additional lefthand turn lanes on both northbound and southbound Taft Avenue.

Traffic Impacts

  • The full closure of S. Taft Avenue from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 8th Street remains closed and is expected to be completed this fall.
  • The City’s utilities team will progress with the second portion of Phase 2 by installing new waterlines from US 34 and Taft Avenue to 18th Street. Waterline construction will begin at the intersection and move north towards 18th Street. Residents can expect a “soft” closure at W. 15th Street, Ruart Drive, and Westshore Drive, with local access only.
  • Commuters traveling N. Taft Avenue can expect single lane closures with one lane of traffic remaining open in each direction, heading southbound and northbound. Traffic control personnel will be staged at the construction zone to direct local and commuting traffic.
  • Traffic is encouraged to detour to the following routes:
    1. Westbound traffic on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard will be diverted before the work area to Lincoln Avenue/US 287, with the option to use 29th Street or 1st Street.
    2. Eastbound traffic on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard will be diverted before the work area to Wilson Avenue, with the option to use 29th Street or 1st Street.

Phase 2 daytime work will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Night and weekend work will be occasional and announced in advance. Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed by mid-October, weather permitting.

The remaining phases of the project include the following:

  • Phase 3 will include a full closure of Taft Avenue from US34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 22nd Street. The closure is currently planned for late fall. For this phase, there will be daytime construction from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Local access will be maintained for the surrounding neighborhood and businesses during the closure. Business access will remain open on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue. Construction will temporarily pause for the winter months.
  • Phase 4 will include asphalt paving on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Prospect Avenue to Harlow Lane. Construction will resume in spring 2025. During construction, the public will be limited to single-lane closures. Night work will be performed for this phase. Traffic should expect delays while navigating the area. Business access will remain open throughout Phase 4.

Additional project details including detour maps, images and other project updates, can be found at letstalkloveland.org/us34-and-taft-intersection-improvements. Residents who wish to sign up for weekly project updates, receive the latest information, or contact the project team can email taftus34improvement@getinfonow.us or call 970-599-7788. If you see waterline emergencies, please call 970-962-3456.

About

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project was introduced to the Loveland City Council in 1999. Throughout the years, the biggest hurdle for the project has been funding. The City found different funding sources to move the project forward over the years and is now able to move forward with allocated funding dedicated to the project. The City has acquired and demolished the homes along the west side of Taft Avenue from 11th Street to US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard. In order to accomplish the improvements to widen Taft Avenue, additional rights-of-way and easements were required. The City acquired these properties to meet construction schedules and progress with an anticipated summer 2024 construction date—all of which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities.

Project Funding

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project is funded by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023). Those funding streams include grants, TABOR, General Fund, Capital Expansion Fees and the Water Enterprise Fund. To learn more about the budget for this project, visit letstalkloveland.org/us34-and-taft-intersection-improvements.

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