CDOT and local agencies celebrate milestone for I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Mead to Berthoud

News Release

Oct. 21, 2026 - Northeastern Colorado - CDOT and community partners are Improving Safety, Planning for the Future

Photos from the event are below. Additional materials from the event are available by emailing [email protected].

Berthoud — The Colorado Department of Transportation, the Town of Mead and local partners celebrated a major milestone for the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Mead to Berthoud. The project completed the final traffic switch, moving this segment of I-25 into the new traffic alignment.

This afternoon, CDOT and community leaders discussed the progress and future of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project during an event near the new Valley Road bridge on Interstate 25. Speakers included CDOT Region 4 Transportation Director Heather Paddock, CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, Colorado State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Mountain View Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Chad Rademacher, Mead Chief of Police Brent Newbanks, Town of Mead Mayor Colleen Whitlow, Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens, and CDOT District 5 Transportation Commissioner and Chair of the Colorado Transportation Investment Office Cecil Gutierrez.

Remarks highlighted successful regional collaboration, work zone safety improvements, long-term safety benefits and upcoming economic development opportunities within the I-25 North corridor to better connect northern Coloradans with the rest of the state.

“This traffic switch signifies so much more than just getting out of a head-to-head condition and getting vehicles onto their respective lanes. This milestone demonstrates the continuous progress and work the north corridor of I-25 has sustained for over a quarter century,” said CDOT Region 4 Transportation Director Heather Paddock.

State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer complimented the team and highlighted the communities coming together to make this possible. “Every planning region put I-25 into their plans. Everybody stuck together. Some call this Colorado’s backbone. We call it the Main Street of Colorado … This has linked our communities together. It’s been a long process but everyone is engaged and it’s been worth all of it,” she said.

Since May 2024, crews have worked on this approximately six-mile project to expand and enhance I-25 from Colorado Highway 66 in Mead to the newly built portion of I-25 just south of Colorado Highway 56 in Berthoud. Once complete, the projected improvements will include:

  • Widened inside roadway shoulder to 10 feet and the outside roadway shoulder to 12 feet.
  • Fully reconstructed I-25 and Weld County Road 34 interchange.
  • Fully reconstructed bridges along this section of I-25, including:
    • Weld County Road 32
    • Weld County Road 34
    • I-25 over Great Western Railway
    • Weld County Road 38
    • I-25 over Valley Road
  • Adding one 12-foot Express Lane in each direction between CO 66 and south of CO 56, separated from the general-purpose lanes with a four-foot painted buffer.
  • Installing and integrating tolling and Intelligent Transportation Systems equipment.

“Accomplishments like these don’t happen without a tremendous amount of effort and support from the communities along this corridor. For all of the work on North I-25, from Denver to Fort Collins, local and developer contributions have totaled almost $79 million. That is truly incredible,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

Following the remarks, attendees participated in a ceremonial roadway striping. This roadway striping marks the next phase toward completion of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Mead to Berthoud.

CDOT, FHWA, and local partners painted lane stripes on the highway to celebrate a major milestone for the I-25 North Express Lanes project
CDOT, FHWA, and local partners painted lane stripes on the highway to celebrate a major milestone for the I-25 North Express Lanes project

Photos and video from the event will be uploaded to the media kit no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.

About the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Mead to Berthoud

The I-25 North Express Lanes Project: Mead to Berthoud section is a continuation of the approximately 20 miles of improvements that have been completed on I-25 between Berthoud and Fort Collins over the past six years. This approximately six-mile project will expand and connect I-25, from CO 66 in Mead to the newly built portion of I-25 just south of CO 56 in Berthoud. Once complete in 2028, this project will complete a major missing puzzle piece on I-25 and will be the first time I-25 will have more than two lanes from Denver to Fort Collins in both directions.

I-25 North Express Lanes Project Contact Information

  • Project phone line - (720) 593-1996
  • Project email – [email protected]
  • Project website - codot.gov/projects/northi25
  • Sign up for weekly project updates on the project website by clicking the “Stay Informed” box on the upper, right side of the page.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!