First Street Wastewater Interceptor Project

To support Loveland’s rapidly growing east side—where new neighborhoods, schools, and businesses are emerging—a major wastewater infrastructure project will begin in late December 2025. This project is part of the City’s broader effort to expand the wastewater system, ensuring it can meet the community’s long-term needs with increased capacity and improved reliability.

Scope of Work

Wastewater System Improvements

Garney Construction will install a new 36-inch wastewater interceptor on First Street from Denver Avenue east to Willow Bend Park. The larger line will relieve pressure on the existing 24-inch pipe and enhance the system’s ability to handle future growth. This work marks the second phase of a planned collection system upgrade that runs from the East Side Lift Station downstream to the Wastewater Reclamation Facility.

A wastewater interceptor is a large underground pipe that carries wastewater to a treatment plant. Acting like a main highway for the sewer system, it collects flow from smaller neighborhood pipes and moves it efficiently down the line. The new line will span about 1,500 feet.

Construction will move from downstream to upstream along First Street, with excavation reaching depths of up to 19 feet. The new line will run parallel to the existing line, boosting both capacity and stability.

Work at the Farmer’s Ditch crossing will begin in early January and continue into February, weather permitting, when the ditch is inactive. At the intersection of First Street and Denver Avenue, deep excavation will require a full closure for about four weeks. After reopening, westbound traffic on First Street will remain closed for roughly four months while eastbound lanes stay open. Detours will be available via U.S. Highway 34 or Mountain Lion Avenue.

Construction Impacts

Traffic & Access

During construction, traffic control measures will be in place to maintain safe travel through the area. Temporary traffic pattern changes should be expected on East 1st Street and, to a lesser degree, North Denver Avenue, but local access to residences and for business deliveries and customers will be maintained.

Schedule

Work will occur along East 1st Street, starting at North Denver Avenue and progressing east. For the most part, work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There may be occasional Saturday work.

Pedestrian Safety

For everyone’s safety, temporary construction fencing will be installed around open trenches. Pedestrians are encouraged to use caution and maintain a safe distance from construction activities at all times, both during and after working hours.

Planning and Funding

The City’s 2021 Wastewater Collections System Master Plan identified a capacity limitation in existing infrastructure in the Eastside and New Boyd Basins. This is a high priority improvement project due to anticipated growth in east Loveland.

The Project is funded with 2025 Wastewater Utility budget funds. Garney Construction, a water utilities contractor, has been awarded a construction contract for completion of this work. The total contract amount for this work is $3,166,866.00. The project is anticipated to begin construction in January of 2026 and is expected to be complete by May of 2026.

The planning and launch of this project remain on schedule and under budget.