US 85 and Weld County Road 44 Interchange Newsletter

Construction activity has increased on the east side of U.S. Highway 85. Grading and asphalt paving for northbound US 85 near the existing County Road 44 intersection will require closing access to and from CR 44 east of the highway.

Pending approval, the planned closure of CR 44 from US 85 and Niobrara Boulevard will start on Sept. 27. This closure will stay in place 24/7 until Oct. 18 unless work is completed sooner.

The signed detour route will direct drivers to use CR 42 and CR 35. Access to all adjacent properties will be provided from the east side of the closure.

Drivers should also expect increased truck traffic and flaggers on CR 44 while material hauling activities are underway.

Fritzler Farm Park is located southwest of the US 85 work zone. New traffic patterns are in place this season. The park has released suggested routes to access the property on the Fritzler Farm Park website.

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