US 85 and Weld County Road 44 Interchange Newsletter

Crews will move southbound U.S. Highway 85 into a new alignment during the day on Monday, Aug. 14. Southbound US 85 drivers approaching the work zone will shift right and onto new pavement. Traffic will pass underneath the new County Road 44 bridge for the first time. 

Northbound US 85 will shift to a new alignment later this month.

Extra caution is advised while drivers adjust to new traffic patterns.

CR 44 will remain closed to through traffic between US 85 and CR 33 for several weeks. This safety closure will allow the contractor to complete paving CR 44 on the west side of US 85. 

The signed detour route uses CR 31 and CR 42 to bypass the work area. Access to properties on CR 44 between US 85 and CR 33 will be maintained from the west.

Jalisco International was awarded a $28-million contract to construct an interchange at US 85 and CR 44 in Peckham. Work on the interchange started in early 2022.

The new interchange will improve safety, eliminate interaction between roadway traffic and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, and provide efficient access control.

Major project features include:

• Two new bridges to carry CR 44 over US 85 and UPRR tracks
• Roundabout at southbound US 85 ramps / CR 44 intersection
• Intersection improvements at CR 44 and Niobrara Boulevard
• Permanent closure of CR 33 at US 85 and UPRR