Six-week Closure of 96th Avenue West of State Highway 2 Begins Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Closure necessary for railroad crossing improvements and intersection project

COMMERCE CITY – Weather pending, 96th Avenue will be closed between Heinz Way and State Highway (SH) 2 for approximately six weeks beginning Wednesday, March 16, 2011. This full closure is needed for railroad crossing improvements and intersection reconstruction work associated with the E. 96th Avenue/SH 2 Intersection Improvement Project.

During the closure, temporary signage will direct motorists to use the following detour routes:

* Westbound 96th Avenue traffic should travel north on Highway 2 to 104th Avenue, west to Havana Street and then back south on Heinz Way to 96th Avenue.
* Eastbound 96th Avenue traffic can use either 104th Avenue to the north or 88th Avenue to the south before heading east to Highway 2 to get back to 96th Avenue.

A detour map can be found on www.c3gov.com

The closure is necessary for construction coordination that allows railroad personnel to construct the widening of the track structure and install new signal equipment. Construction crews plan to complete a variety of activities to minimize future traffic impacts, including: roadway removals, sub-surface road preparation and concrete pavement.

“We appreciate the patience of residents, businesses, and motorists during this phase of the project and the associated closure,” said Glenn Ellis, Commerce City Capital Improvement Program Manager. “The reconstruction of the intersection had to be completed in phases to minimize impacts to the public. To date, we’re more than 65 percent complete with the overall project. Once this phase is complete, crews will continue work on Highway 2 to prepare for concrete paving on the east half of the highway.”

Consistent with the contract specifications, Scott Contracting, the project contractor, completed a mailing to area residents and businesses in advance of the closure. Electronic message boards will provide another reminder for motorists. The public can contact the project’s public information manager at 720-382-4944 with additional questions.

The 12-month, $6.7 million E. 96th Avenue/SH 2 Intersection Improvement Project began in August 2010. Identified as a council priority in 2004, the project is funded through the city’s capital improvement program. Once the project is completed this summer, drivers will notice more travel lanes, new turn lanes and wider shoulders – making this high-traffic area a safer intersection.