US 85 and Weld County Road 44 Interchange Newsletter

Interchange construction requires extensive grading and paving activities on County Road 44 near Niobrara Boulevard. The work will be performed in two phases. Phase 1 will construct CR 44 east of Niobrara Boulevard. Phase 2 will construct the County Road 44 / Niobrara Boulevard intersection.

CR 44 from east of Niobrara Boulevard to CR 35 will close to all through traffic starting on or after Nov. 13 for approximately two weeks. This closure will stay in place 24/7 until the work is complete. Once phase 1 work is complete, the contractor will begin phase 2 work to reconstruct the Niobrara Boulevard intersection. This work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change. Message boards on the corridor will reflect any schedule changes.

The phase 1 signed detour route will direct drivers to use CR 42 and CR 35. Access to adjacent properties between US 85 and Niobrara Boulevard, including the Weld County Industrial Park, will be possible from the west side of closure at US 85.

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, and construction completion is expected in spring 2024.

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