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FOR RELEASE: US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project includes full closure for Phase 2 starting July 15

LOVELAND, Colo. – July 11, 2024 – The City of Loveland will begin Phase 2 construction for the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project on Monday, July 15. Completion of this phase of the work is anticipated by early October, weather permitting. Phase 2 will include a full closure of S. Taft Avenue from US34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 8th Street, which includes daytime work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Construction will include adding an additional lefthand turn lanes on both northbound and southbound Taft Avenue heading onto US 34 to alleviate traffic congestion, as well as adding bike lanes, ADA sidewalks, curbs and gutters to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety. Additionally, Loveland Water and Power will replace the existing 12-inch cast iron pipes installed in the 1960s with new 12-inch PVC pipes. The new infrastructure will provide a pipe life expectancy of 100 years.

Detour Routes:

  • 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.
  • 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 1 night work will overlap with Phase 2 daytime work and continue through late July to reduce two weeks off the project’s initial timeline. For both phases, daytime and nighttime construction will happen simultaneously. Nighttime work will be Sunday through Thursday from approximately 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and daytime work will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“In order to maintain forward momentum on the project and avoid any unnecessary downtime for our contractors, there will be approximately a two-week period of overlap for Phases 1 and Phase 2. This operational adjustment will allow us to cut two weeks off of the overall timeline for the project,” said Construction Manager Bonar Crump.

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. Throughout construction, commuters can expect delays and are encouraged to plan accordingly to allow enough time for their commute.

During nighttime work hours, construction noise from the equipment and temporary lights may be disruptive for residents in the area. Single lane closures are expected overnight. Traffic control signs and devices will be posted at all ends of the work areas along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue. Personnel will be in the area to navigate traffic during working hours.

The remaining two 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 from October through December. 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. Nighttime work will be performed for this phase. Traffic should expect delays while navigating the area. Business access will remain open throughout Phase 4.


US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Detour Route

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 970-599-7788. If you see water line 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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