FOR RELEASE: US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project completes Phase 2 and proceeds with full Phase 3

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project has completed Phase 2 and will proceed with a full Phase 3 on Monday, Nov. 4, weather dependent.

Phase 2 included the repair of aging waterline and valves beneath the south edge of US 34 and Taft Avenue to 11th Street, as well as adding bike lanes, ADA sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and two lefthand turn lanes on the south side of Taft Avenue and US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard.

New traffic control configuration for Phase 3

As Phase 3 proceeds with operations, a new traffic control configuration will be installed along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Westshore Drive to Prospect Avenue. The new traffic control will include new striping to allow crews to work on the north side of US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue. Restriping is estimated to begin on Monday, Nov. 4, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather dependent. Crews will work at night to minimize traffic impacts; however, commuters should expect delays. Flaggers will be onsite to help direct traffic during working hours.

Phase 3 traffic impacts:

• A full closure of N. Taft Avenue from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 18th Street. The closure will remain until Phase 3 is completed.
• Barriers will be installed from Westshore Drive to Wendy’s to allow crews to reconstruct the sidewalks, curb and gutters along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard.
• Demolition of a portion of the Safeway parking lot will allow for the widening of N. Taft Avenue to add a new right-turn lane and dual left turning lanes.
• 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.

South of US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue fully opens

As operations shift to the north side of US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and the traffic control configuration begins on Monday, Nov. 4, weather permitting, commuters heading south on N. Taft Avenue can expect the following:

• Traveling east on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard, drivers will be able to use the right turning lane to head south on N. Taft Avenue. Additionally, the left turning lane to enter the Safeway parking lot will be restored.
• Traveling west on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard, drivers will be able to turn left at the traffic signal to head south on N. Taft Avenue.
• Traveling north on N. Taft Avenue, drivers will be limited to using single left and right turning lanes while there’s a full closure of N. Taft Avenue from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 18th Street.
• Traveling south on N. Taft Avenue from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard, drivers will be able to fully access the two through lanes.

As drivers get accustomed to the new roadway, they should stay alert and monitor speed limits accordingly.

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.

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.