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Weld County, Colorado sent this bulletin at 10/29/2024 02:03 PM MDT

Oct. 29, 2024

Thanks for Signing Up!

Thank you for signing up for the High Plains Boulevard newsletter! While actual construction of the segment extending Weld County Road 9.5 between Weld County Road 32 and 34 isn't scheduled to begin until 2025, this newsletter will feature information about design and construction progress and major milestones reached.

Expect regular updates after construction begins in the spring of 2025.

Project Meeting a Success

Members of the Weld County Department of Public Works alongside Weld County Commissioner Kevin Ross presenting at the public meeting.

Approximately 40 residents attended a public meeting at the Town of Mead's Public Works building in late August. The meeting featured a presentation by several entities involved with the project:

Weld County Public Works - Project manager
Kramer NA - Project contractor
RMS - Project designer
Western State's Land Services - Assisting with right-of-way acquisitions

Weld County Commissioners Kevin Ross and Scott James also attended, along with representatives from the Town of Mead and Colorado Department of Transportation.

The crowd at the High Plains Boulevard meeting.

An Opportunity to Ask Questions

Aside from just providing background on the project and a look at its schedule, the meeting also provided an opportunity for those in attendance to ask questions. Below is a recap of some of the questions:

Q: Is the entire corridor being constructed next year? Does the work include just one interim section or will it be the whole boulevard?

A: The work being done in this contract is just a one-mile segment — extending WCR 9.5 between Weld County Road 32 and 34. The construction of this segment will be an interim section with only two lanes and widened shoulders. There will be a curb and gutter and detached sidewalk on the west side of the interim roadway. There is no timetable for completion of the four-lane ultimate boulevard section, which will be developer driven.

Q: How is the project being funded?

A: This one-mile segment is being funded by Weld County and the Town of Mead. In March, Weld County accepted a $1 million grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to be used on design and construction of this segment.

Q: What led to this work? Why now?

A: The construction of this segment of High Plains Boulevard is the result of years of study dating back to 2003 and the work of the High Plains Boulevard Coalition in 2020. The coalition, made up of representatives from Weld County, Larimer County, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the towns of Mead, Berthoud, Johnstown and Loveland, saw a need for another north/south corridor east of I-25.

The project also came in anticipation of continued growth and continued traffic demand. As Weld County is projected to double in population by 2050, completing this work now will help ensure the county's transportation system is built to meet demand.

Q: When will construction start? When is anticipated to be complete?

A: Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2025 and be completed by Dec. 31, 2025. Utility relocations may take place prior to construction starting.

To learn more about the project, visit the High Plains Boulevard webpage.