14-03-2025
Douglas County will open new continuous flow intersections to help with congestion
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR) — Growth in Douglas County is placing a burden on many roads and highways. County engineers told FOX31 more than 45,000 people travel near U.S. 85 and C-470 each day and that number will double in the next 25 years.
The U.S. 85 Widening and Reconstruction Project will alleviate back-ups and improve safety for drivers on a roadway that serves as a National Defense Highway, major trucking lane and alternate route for ambulances when there are accidents on Interstate 25.
Wheat Ridge combats traffic congestion with new continuous flow intersections
'There's really not a good grid system of road in this area because we have Chatfield Reservoir and we have development of Highlands Ranch' said engineer Art Griffith.
If the weather permits, commuters will begin using the first of three Continuous Flow Intersections at U.S. 85 and Highland's Ranch Parkway on Wednesday, March 19. The county tells FOX31 the need is immediate.
'We had significant traffic congestion previously it would've gotten exponentially worse' said David Millar.
CFI'S shift left turn traffic into a special lane that moves toward the next intersection to keep things moving, similar to the diverging diamond interchange located at U.S. 36 and McCaslin Boulevard near Superior. A CFI is also being constructed on Wadsworth Boulevard in Wheat Ridge.
Engineers say drivers will receive guidance along the way.
'You follow the signs: You go when the light's green, you stop when the light's red,' said $130 million dollar project is supported by $29 million in federal funding and includes a sales and use tax designated for transportation equaling less than one cent per dollar, a $3.5 million dollar contribution from the Colorado Department of Transportation and a $35 million dollar reimbursement from Chatfield developers.
Woman who hit pedestrian, left scene, then returned now facing charges: police
Engineers said the project's design saved the county $30 million.
Another CFI is scheduled to open on Town Center Drive on March 26. No opening date has been set for the C-470 intersection but final completion should take place in July.
The three-year project started in October, 2022. Contractors are 78 days ahead of schedule. County engineers strongly emphasize that weather may delay scheduled intersection openings due to the impact on striping the pavement.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
