I-25 Expansion in Northern Colorado: What to Know

I-25 North Express Lanes project groundbreaking event, Monday, September 10. Image credit: CDOT

Elected leaders from across Northern Colorado joined Governor John Hickenlooper in a ceremonial groundbreaking event on Monday, September 10, kicking off construction to add an Express Lane to I-25 in each direction between Johnstown and Fort Collins. The project aims to relieve congestion and improve safety along the only Interstate Highway in the North Front Range region. Here is what you should know:

Where will construction begin?

Construction on Crossroads Boulevard is wrapping up, but crews will continue working in the area and as far north as Kechter Road near CO 392. The Frontage Road will be permanently closed at Larimer County Road 30 (LCR 30). Construction in this area will include setting and removing barriers, widening I-25 to add Express Lanes, grade preparation, temporary asphalt paving, and restriping.

Will there be closures?

According to CDOT, some nighttime lane closures will be necessary for setting and removing barriers, temporary asphalt paving, grade preparation, and restriping.

When will the project be complete?

Construction is scheduled to be complete, with tolling underway, in early 2022.

How much does this project cost?

Total project cost is upwards of $300M. Local partners are contributing a significant amount of money to complete the expansion more than a decade ahead of schedule. Contributions from local partners include:  

•          Berthoud = $250,000
•          Centerra Metropolitan District = $6M
•          Fort Collins = $18.75M
•          Johnstown = $7M
•          Larimer County = $11M
•          Loveland = $8M
•          Timnath = $500,000
•          Weld County = $3M
•          Windsor $1M

These contributions helped secure $15M in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds. The remainder of the project will be funded through other state and federal funds, as well as financing through CDOT's High Performance Transportation Enterprise by borrowing money against the revenue to be generated once the Express Lanes are opened.

What about other multimodal improvements?

The project will include construction of a long-awaited trail connection under I-25 for the Poudre River Trail. A similar connection will be made at the Big Thompson River bridge in Loveland to accommodate the City’s future Big Thompson River Corridor Trail, extending east to Johnstown. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will also be improved as part of the Prospect Road bridge replacement. Work at Kendall Parkway will include pedestrian and bicyclist improvements as well as a slip ramp and new Park-n-Ride to improve bus service along I-25, reducing Bustang trip times by 15 minutes in each direction.

Read more about the groundbreaking and overall project from the Loveland Reporter-Herald or the CDOT project page.