Making it all come together

Weld County, Colorado sent this bulletin at 09/29/2025 02:19 PM MDT

Sept. 29, 2025

Making it all come together

While construction and equipment may be the first things that come to mind when thinking of the High Plains Boulevard project, there is one other crucial item that has to occur before anything else: collaboration. That's because there's a lot of work currently going on in the same area of southern Weld County at the same time.

Kraemer North America and Weld County are constructing a one-mile segment of High Plains Boulevard — Weld County Road (WCR) 9.5 from WCR 32 to WCR 34.

Just north of that work, Mead and developers are working on their portion of High Plains Boulevard — from WCR 34 to WCR 36.

Just west of the project, Segment 5 of the North I-25 Express Lanes project, led by the Colorado Department Transportation (CDOT), continues. This project includes improvements to the interchange at I-25 and WCR 34.

Just east of the project, another Town of Mead development is being built, which will extend water and sewer utilities through the High Plains Boulevard project area on WCR 34.

This begs the question: How can construction flow smoothly, road closures happen, and the traveling public still get where they need to be safely and with minimal inconvenience?

"It's all part of planning. Over the past year, well before we broke ground on our segment, we met with CDOT, Mead and developers to discuss how we could best coordinate our work to avoid delays and coordinate closures and detours," said Cameron Parrott, Engineering Manager of the Weld County Department of Public Works. "Everyone's project is important, but how can we all work together?"

It requires staying in constant communication. For example, closures on Segment 5 of I-25 may shift priorities on High Plains Boulevard. Knowing that Weld County's portion needs to tie into Mead's portion helps plan what work needs to be completed and when. Closures during the High Plains Boulevard project are also communicated and coordinated between Weld County, Mead, developers and CDOT during weekly progress meetings.

"Coordination and collaboration are part of every project, but more with this one," Parrott said. "It's all part of delivering the best improvements possible."

Strengthening, stabilizing soil remains a priority

Soil stabilization directly south of WCR 34 continues to be an early focus of the project. Approximately 60,000 cubic yards of material have been placed so far. Soil investigations have shown that, over time, this area could settle, or sink, up to 2 feet under heavy weight, like the kind caused by a new roadway or heavy traffic. Anyone who’s driven by the project area lately may have noticed an extra 5 feet of temporary fill material being placed where the new roadway section is being built near WCR 34. This material will weigh the soil down and fix this issue prior to the new roadway being built. Special metal plates have been installed within the fill area, allowing the contractor to monitor how much the ground has lowered since the start of the project.

Once the project team is comfortable that final settlement has occurred, roadway construction directly south of WCR 34 will continue. While soil stabilization is ongoing, crews are also starting to build road sections farther south.

High Plains Boulevard in pictures

An aerial photo of a dirt-fill area by Weld County Road 34.

An aerial photo of a dirt fill south of WCR 34. (Photo courtesy of Kraemer North America)

A dirt leg of the eventual roundabout planned near WCR 32. A geogrid sits on top of the dirt.

An aerial view of the area of the new roadway south of WCR 34 that has been cleared to make it ready for construction (Photo courtesy of Kraemer North America)

An aerial view of the dirt work currently taking place on the High Plains Boulevard project.

An aerial view of the dirt work taking place on High Plains Boulevard. (Photo courtesy of Kraemer North America)