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US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project

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The US 34 highway managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is a regionally traveled road. In addition to serving as a main corridor for Lovelanders, it also heavily used by visitors and guests as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the City’s traffic data, US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard has 28,000 daily commuters and 21,000 Taft Avenue commuters daily. With this information, as well as how many collisions occur through this heavily congested area, the City has worked to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

Once complete, the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project will improve the intersection by providing:

  1. Two through lanes of traffic in each direction on North Taft Avenue (north and southbound).
  2. Double turn lanes
  3. Bike lanes, curb, gutter, and sidewalks to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety.
  4. An updated traffic signal at the US 34 and North Taft Avenue intersection, meeting current industry standards.
  5. Water and electric infrastructure enhancements to accommodate future utility demands.

This work will provide safer conditions on North Taft Avenue and the US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard intersection, as well as improve a multi-modal (walking, biking, driving and public transit) corridor along North Taft Avenue that’s part of the City’s larger Connect Loveland Master Plan.

Some history

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 the homes along North Taft Avenue from 11th Street to Westshore Drive for the project, starting in 2021. In order to accomplish the improvements to widen Taft, 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.

Why now?

The project must start this summer to meet construction schedules and leverage federal grant funding opportunities.

What's next?

The Taft Avenue demolition work and gas line relocations have been completed. Construction Phase 1 will start on Monday, July 8, weather-dependent. Before this date, the City will begin staging the area along S. Taft Avenue with construction equipment and materials. This project will entail four phasing stages. An overview of the phases is shown on the right sidebar under " Project Timeline" or "Documents."



Why are we doing this project?

After reviewing the crash data, including this area into Connect Loveland and reviewing the multi-modal accessibility of the intersection, the City looks forward to incorporating these much-needed improvements to one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

How will this be funded?

The project will be supported by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023):

  • Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant = $3,330,637
  • TABOR Excess = $100,000
  • General Fund = $2,220,829
    • Allocated funds dedicated from 2021 - 2023.
  • Capital Expansion Fees (CEF)= $2,935,828
    • Developer fees dedicated to improving infrastructure for future expansion.

Stay Informed

To stay informed about this project, subscribe to our email list in the "Stay Informed" section. We understand construction can cause disruptions. Contact our project email at taftus34improvement@getinfonow.us or the hotline at 970-599-7788. Our team will respond to your concerns, comments, or questions within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience while this work is being completed.

The US 34 highway managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is a regionally traveled road. In addition to serving as a main corridor for Lovelanders, it also heavily used by visitors and guests as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the City’s traffic data, US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard has 28,000 daily commuters and 21,000 Taft Avenue commuters daily. With this information, as well as how many collisions occur through this heavily congested area, the City has worked to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

Once complete, the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project will improve the intersection by providing:

  1. Two through lanes of traffic in each direction on North Taft Avenue (north and southbound).
  2. Double turn lanes
  3. Bike lanes, curb, gutter, and sidewalks to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety.
  4. An updated traffic signal at the US 34 and North Taft Avenue intersection, meeting current industry standards.
  5. Water and electric infrastructure enhancements to accommodate future utility demands.

This work will provide safer conditions on North Taft Avenue and the US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard intersection, as well as improve a multi-modal (walking, biking, driving and public transit) corridor along North Taft Avenue that’s part of the City’s larger Connect Loveland Master Plan.

Some history

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 the homes along North Taft Avenue from 11th Street to Westshore Drive for the project, starting in 2021. In order to accomplish the improvements to widen Taft, 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.

Why now?

The project must start this summer to meet construction schedules and leverage federal grant funding opportunities.

What's next?

The Taft Avenue demolition work and gas line relocations have been completed. Construction Phase 1 will start on Monday, July 8, weather-dependent. Before this date, the City will begin staging the area along S. Taft Avenue with construction equipment and materials. This project will entail four phasing stages. An overview of the phases is shown on the right sidebar under " Project Timeline" or "Documents."



Why are we doing this project?

After reviewing the crash data, including this area into Connect Loveland and reviewing the multi-modal accessibility of the intersection, the City looks forward to incorporating these much-needed improvements to one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

How will this be funded?

The project will be supported by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023):

  • Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant = $3,330,637
  • TABOR Excess = $100,000
  • General Fund = $2,220,829
    • Allocated funds dedicated from 2021 - 2023.
  • Capital Expansion Fees (CEF)= $2,935,828
    • Developer fees dedicated to improving infrastructure for future expansion.

Stay Informed

To stay informed about this project, subscribe to our email list in the "Stay Informed" section. We understand construction can cause disruptions. Contact our project email at taftus34improvement@getinfonow.us or the hotline at 970-599-7788. Our team will respond to your concerns, comments, or questions within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience while this work is being completed.

  • Night work for gas line relocations planned for April 1-25

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    The Taft Avenue demolition work as part of the City’s North Taft Avenue Widening Project is now complete. Relocation of gas lines underground is the next phase of preliminary construction work. Xcel Energy and its contractor, Mears, will perform the work near US34 and Taft Avenue. The gas lines need to be lowered or relocated because they will conflict with the new infrastructure in the area.

    To reduce traffic volume and limit impacts to businesses and the traveling public during the day, this work will be performed overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, from April 1 - 25, weather permitting. Alternating single-lane closures will be in place throughout construction in the following areas:

    • Eisenhower/US34 from Loch Mount Drive to Harlow Lane heading westbound
    • Taft Avenue from west 15th Street to First Bank
    • Eisenhower/US34 from Prospect Avenue to Harlow Lane heading eastbound

    Additionally, residents should expect delays while construction is being performed. Traffic control signs and personnel will be on site to navigate traffic during the working hours.

    Throughout construction, there will be noise from the equipment while Mears relocates several gas lines. There will also be temporary lights in the area that may be disruptive.

    We appreciate your patience and understanding while this work is being performed and as we prepare for the intersection improvement project.

Page last updated: 01 Nov 2024, 02:55 PM