North Taft Avenue Water and Storm Improvements Project

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The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project recently concluded successfully, enhancing traffic flow, reducing congestion and making one of Loveland’s busiest intersections safer and easier to travel for all users. Improvements included new bike lanes, wider sidewalks and ADA-compliant features that improve safety and accessibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The next phase of improvements will focus on Taft Avenue between 18th and 29th streets. Construction is anticipated to begin in December 2025 and be completed by early June 2026. Crews will replace aging waterlines and stormwater infrastructure to improve service reliability, increase system capacity and reduce neighborhood flooding during heavy rain events. This phase also includes intersection upgrades at Taft Avenue and 29th Street to support smoother traffic operations and enhance long-term safety.

These improvements reflect Loveland’s continued commitment to safe, reliable infrastructure and high-quality service for the community.

Scope of Work

Waterline Replacement

To ensure reliable water service, the City plans to install a new 16-inch waterline along N. Taft Avenue, replacing the aging 12-inch cast iron line from just north of 18th Street through West 29th Street. This upgrade will maintain system-wide water pressures, improve long-term reliability and reduce disruptions from waterline breaks.

Stormwater Improvements

Stormwater improvements will be completed in parallel with the waterline work. The stormwater utility will replace pipes, create new outlets to Lake Loveland for improved storm protection and reinforce the west banks of the lake to stabilize infrastructure and prevent erosion.

Construction Impacts

Traffic & Access

During construction, traffic control measures will be in place to maintain safe travel through the area. Both northbound and southbound lanes of North Taft Avenue north of 18th Street through 29th Street will be periodically closed or lanes restricted to northbound traffic, but local access to residences and for business deliveries and customers will be maintained.

Schedule

Work will begin with waterline replacement at the North Taft Avenue and West 29th Street intersection, followed by installation of the new line from just north of West 18th Street to West 29th Street. 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.

Service Interruptions

Following construction, testing and disinfection of the new water line, periodic service interruptions will be necessary to some generally along Taft Avenue as existing water connections are tied into the new system. The City will provide at least 48 hours’ notice to residents prior to any planned water outage.

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project recently concluded successfully, enhancing traffic flow, reducing congestion and making one of Loveland’s busiest intersections safer and easier to travel for all users. Improvements included new bike lanes, wider sidewalks and ADA-compliant features that improve safety and accessibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The next phase of improvements will focus on Taft Avenue between 18th and 29th streets. Construction is anticipated to begin in December 2025 and be completed by early June 2026. Crews will replace aging waterlines and stormwater infrastructure to improve service reliability, increase system capacity and reduce neighborhood flooding during heavy rain events. This phase also includes intersection upgrades at Taft Avenue and 29th Street to support smoother traffic operations and enhance long-term safety.

These improvements reflect Loveland’s continued commitment to safe, reliable infrastructure and high-quality service for the community.

Scope of Work

Waterline Replacement

To ensure reliable water service, the City plans to install a new 16-inch waterline along N. Taft Avenue, replacing the aging 12-inch cast iron line from just north of 18th Street through West 29th Street. This upgrade will maintain system-wide water pressures, improve long-term reliability and reduce disruptions from waterline breaks.

Stormwater Improvements

Stormwater improvements will be completed in parallel with the waterline work. The stormwater utility will replace pipes, create new outlets to Lake Loveland for improved storm protection and reinforce the west banks of the lake to stabilize infrastructure and prevent erosion.

Construction Impacts

Traffic & Access

During construction, traffic control measures will be in place to maintain safe travel through the area. Both northbound and southbound lanes of North Taft Avenue north of 18th Street through 29th Street will be periodically closed or lanes restricted to northbound traffic, but local access to residences and for business deliveries and customers will be maintained.

Schedule

Work will begin with waterline replacement at the North Taft Avenue and West 29th Street intersection, followed by installation of the new line from just north of West 18th Street to West 29th Street. 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.

Service Interruptions

Following construction, testing and disinfection of the new water line, periodic service interruptions will be necessary to some generally along Taft Avenue as existing water connections are tied into the new system. The City will provide at least 48 hours’ notice to residents prior to any planned water outage.

  • Weekly Construction Report: Dec. 12-19

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    Hello Loveland!

    Here are our project updates to date with a look at upcoming work.

    Progress Dec. 15-19

    • Work focused on all sides of the 29th Street and Taft Avenue intersection.
    • Crews worked from the outer edges of their zones toward the center near the intersection.
    • They excavated, trenched and installed a larger waterline on 29th Street.
    • Crews installed a new valve along N. Taft Avenue on the north side of the intersection.

    Installing a valve on N. Taft Avenue on Dec. 15

    29th Street: A crane lowers in line stop equipment on the west side of the intersection on Dec. 15

    Upcoming Work: Week of Dec. 22

    • Major waterline installation across the intersection will begin next week. All remaining waterline for the intersection work is expected to be laid during the week.
    • Two crews will be deployed, one laying remaining pipe east and west and another laying pipe north and south.
    • Once all waterlines are laid, line stops placed along the pipeline on 29th Street on either side of the intersection will be removed.
    • Traffic detours will be in place and clearly marked to guide drivers around the closures.
      • Drivers should avoid the intersection if possible.
      • Updated detour maps will be provided below for alternate routes.

    Northbound traffic on N. Taft Avenue will be restricted to a right turn onto 29th Street and will need to use Garfield Avenue and 37th Street to reconnect with Taft Avenue and continue north.


    Southbound traffic on N. Taft Avenue will encounter a hard closure at 29th Street and should detour earlier at 43rd Street to the west or 37th Street to the east around the construction. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained along N. Taft Avenue between 37th Street and 29th Street.

    Traffic on 29th Street will be eastbound only through the intersection. Eastbound traffic on 29th Street will have limited or no access for right turns or southbound travel onto N. Taft Avenue.

    Westbound traffic on 29th Street will be restricted to a right turn onto N. Taft Avenue and will need to use 43rd Street to continue west.

    Looking ahead: Week of Dec. 29

    • Crews will pave and patch the intersection to prepare it for traffic again. As soon as they are able, weather permitting, they will reopen work zones and remove detours.

    Working hours

    Week of Dec. 22
    Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Crews will take Thursday, Dec. 25 off for the Christmas holiday. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Week of Dec. 29
    Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Crews will take Thursday, Jan. 1 off for the New Year’s holiday. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    To contact the project team, call 970-962-3521 or email UtilitiesInfo@cityofloveland.org.

    Thank you for your patience as we complete these improvements.

  • Weekly Update 12/3/25-12/12/25

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    Hello Loveland!

    Here are our project updates to date with a look at upcoming work.

    Progress to Date:

    Dec. 3–5:

    • Crews began mobilizing on site.
    • The City and T. Lowell held the first construction progress meeting on Dec. 3 to officially kick off the project (see photo, below).
    • Initial activities included staging equipment, painting markers, and beginning saw cutting.

    Week of Dec. 8–12:

    • Focus shifted to preparations for water line installation.
    • Crews installed line stops along 29th Street.
    • Temporary water service options were being prepared.
    • Work concentrated on the east and west sides of the 29th Street & Taft Avenue intersection.
    • Lane shifts were implemented on 29th Street to accommodate construction.








    Crews lower in and set a line stop collar on Dec. 9.

    Upcoming Work:

    Week of Dec. 15–19

    • Continued excavation and trenching activities.
    • Installation of a valve and plug on the north and south sides of the intersection.
    • Additional lane shifts on Taft Avenue will be added, concurrent with existing shifts on 29th Street.
    • All directions of traffic will remain open, though drivers should expect minor delays and use caution in the work zone.

    Looking Ahead:

    Week of Dec. 22-26

    Major waterline installation across the intersection begins.









    PVC waterline pipe sits ready for installation on Dec. 9.

    Traffic detours will be implemented:

    • Westbound 29th Street as well as northbound and southbound Taft Avenue will be closed at the intersection.
    • Detours will be clearly marked to guide drivers around the closure.
    • Please refer to the detour map below for alternate routes.











    Weather permitting, work activities are Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with occasional Saturday work needed. To contact the project team, call 970-962-3521 or email UtilitiesInfo@cityofloveland.org.

    Thank you for your patience as we complete these improvements!

  • FOR RELEASE: Construction to begin on North Taft Avenue Water and Storm Improvements Project

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    City of Loveland, Colorado

    MEDIA RELEASE

    CONTACT: Tracey Hewson, Public Information Officer

    970-962-3710,
    Tracey.Hewson@cityofloveland.org

    Construction to begin on North Taft Avenue Water and Storm Improvements Project

    LOVELAND, Colo. – December 3, 2025 – Construction will begin by the end of this week on the North Taft Avenue Water and Storm Improvements Project, a major infrastructure effort designed to improve water service reliability and reduce flooding risks in northwest Loveland. The project is scheduled for completion by June 2026, weather permitting.

    Crews will replace aging waterlines and stormwater infrastructure along North Taft Avenue from 18th Street through West 29th Street. Work includes installing a new 16-inch waterline to replace the existing 12-inch cast-iron pipe, which will help maintain systemwide pressure, improve long-term reliability and reduce service disruptions caused by line breaks. Stormwater upgrades will include installing new pipes, adding outlets to Lake Loveland to improve storm protection and reinforcing the lake’s west bank to prevent erosion and protect nearby infrastructure.

    Preconstruction: Intersection Work at Taft Avenue and 29th Street

    The first phase of work will occur at the Taft Avenue and 29th Street intersection, where crews will upsize aging infrastructure and install a larger waterline to increase capacity. New valves will also be added to help isolate future breaks and reduce service impacts.

    Mobilization and prep work including equipment staging, pavement markings and saw cutting will take place Dec. 3–5. Minor lane shifts are expected during this period.

    From Dec. 8–22, Crews will install line stops at two locations east and west of the intersection of 29th Street and Taft Avenue to prepare for pipe replacement. This work requires 24-hour, two-lane closures on 29th Street, reducing eastbound and westbound traffic to one lane in each direction. Temporary lane closures will also occur on Taft Avenue, though northbound and southbound access will remain open.

    Dec. 22 through Jan. 4, pipe installation will require:

    • Full closure of westbound 29th Street at Taft Avenue. Westbound 29th Street will be right turn only to northbound Taft Ave.
    • Full closure of southbound Taft Avenue at 29th Street. Drivers may use detours at 37th Street or 43rd Street.
    • Full closure of northbound Taft Avenue at 29th Street. Drivers may use detours at 29th Street.
    • Lane shifts between 29th Street and 37th Street.

    During intersection construction:

    • Local access will be maintained for adjacent property owners
    • Sidewalks will be closed
    • Commuters are strongly encouraged to avoid the area
    • Delays are expected, and drivers should allow extra travel time

    Working hours will be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some Saturdays.

    What’s Next: Taft Avenue Between 18th and 29th Streets

    After intersection work is complete, construction will move to Taft Avenue between 18th and 29th streets. While the intersection and the section of Taft between 29th and 27th streets will reopen, Taft Avenue from 18th to 29th streets will fully close for continued replacement of waterline and stormwater infrastructure. Local and business access will be maintained.

    About the Project

    The North Taft Avenue Water and Storm Improvements Project is part of a multi-year effort to upgrade infrastructure along Taft Avenue from 11th Street to 29th Street. Recent work included the replacement of aging infrastructure was replaced at the U.S. 34 intersection, along with intersection improvements.

    This phase continues replacement of aging systems to improve water quality and service reliability. Stormwater improvements are designed to reduce flooding risks, add water quality features and reinforce the west banks of Lake Loveland. Water and stormwater work is being completed together to reduce costs and limit public disruption. Construction is taking place outside irrigation season, when lake levels are low, to reduce environmental and operational impacts.

    Funding

    The project is primarily funded through enterprise funds for water and stormwater, which are supported by customer rates, charges and fees. In October 2025, the construction contract was awarded to T. Lowell Construction following a competitive bidding process. The winning bid estimated a total project cost of $7.093 million, including about $3.73 million for waterline work and $3.36 million for stormwater improvements. Additionally, the stormwater utility will receive $400,000 from enterprise transportation funds to support Lake Loveland bank restoration, which will benefit Taft Avenue.

    Stay Informed

    For project updates, including the option to sign up for weekly updates, detour maps and to ask questions or contact the project team visit letstalkloveland.org/taft-ave-water-storm-improvements.

    You may also email: UtilitiesInfo@cityofloveland.org, or call 970-962-3521 (Water concerns) or 970-962-2773 (Stormwater concerns).

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Page last updated: 19 Dec 2025, 04:39 PM