US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project

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.

The City of Loveland will begin Phase 1 construction for the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project on Monday, July 8. This phase of the work will be completed by mid-July, weather permitting.

Phase 1 includes nighttime work along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard between Westshore Drive and Prospect Avenue to remove light posts and medians to allow lane adjustments while providing safe working conditions for the crews. To maximize efficiencies and costs, the City’s Loveland Water and Power department will simultaneously replace the aging water line beneath the intersection of US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue.

“The enhancements at the intersection of Taft and US 34 are designed to boost safety and minimize delays for all modes of transportation, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said assistant city engineer Keith Wakefield. “We’re excited to finally complete this 25-year-old project and construct these improvements for the Loveland community.”

The City has selected Coulson Excavating Company for the roadway improvements and Connell Resources for the waterline improvements as the contractors for construction. Typical working hours for Phase 1 work will be Sunday through Thursday from approximately 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to limit traffic impacts for businesses, residents and commuters during the day.

During the working hours of this project, there will be construction noise from the equipment and temporary lights that 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 three phases of the project include the following:

• Phase 2 will include a full closure of Taft Avenue from US34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 8th Street. The closure is currently planned from mid-July through October. 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.
• 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. Night work will be performed for this phase. Traffic should expect delays while navigating the area. Business access will remain open throughout Phase 4.

During Phases 2 and 3, detours for westbound traffic on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard will occur from Lincoln Avenue/US 287 to 29^th Street or 1^st Street, and eastbound traffic on US34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Wilson Avenue to 29^th Street or 1^st Street. Throughout construction, commuters should expect delays and are encouraged to plan accordingly to allow enough time for their commute.

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.

April 24 open house with residents and business owners surrounding a plot plan.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project successfully hosted 35 residents and business owners at the Public Works Administration Building. Thank you to all who attended and provided feedback, questions, comments, or concerns to our project team. The April 24 open house was dedicated to those within a 3,000-foot project radius who would be impacted by the work zones throughout construction. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with guests to address their concerns.

Another opportunity to learn about the project and connect with the team will be hosted at the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fair from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, May 30, at the Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St.

The event will include the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project and other projects planned by the Public Works, Water and Power, and Parks and Recreation departments.

The CIP Fair will feature displays, construction timelines, phasing information, and opportunities for attendees to engage with City staff. Each project will include budget-related details to help the public understand how infrastructure projects are funded across the City.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 30
• Time: 4-6 p.m.
• Location: The Beet Education Center (201 E 5th St.)
• Department Participation: Public Works, Water and Power, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Services, Finance and North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Don't miss out on this informative and engaging event! To learn more about the CIP Fair, visit go.lovgov.org/news-7580. The event is also listed on the City’s Facebook, Nextdoor, and X, formerly Twitter, channels. We look forward to seeing you there!

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CONTACT:

• Illianna Milldrum, Communications & Engagement Specialist, 970-962-2608, illianna.milldrum@cityofloveland.org

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.