US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project

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The US 34 highway managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is a regionally traveled road. In addition to serving as a main corridor for Lovelanders, it also heavily used by visitors and guests as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the City’s traffic data, US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard has 28,000 daily commuters and 21,000 Taft Avenue commuters daily. With this information, as well as how many collisions occur through this heavily congested area, the City has worked to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

Once complete, the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project will improve the intersection by providing:

  1. Two through lanes of traffic in each direction on North Taft Avenue (north and southbound).
  2. Double turn lanes
  3. Bike lanes, curb, gutter, and sidewalks to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety.
  4. An updated traffic signal at the US 34 and North Taft Avenue intersection, meeting current industry standards.
  5. Water and electric infrastructure enhancements to accommodate future utility demands.

This work will provide safer conditions on North Taft Avenue and the US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard intersection, as well as improve a multi-modal (walking, biking, driving and public transit) corridor along North Taft Avenue that’s part of the City’s larger Connect Loveland Master Plan.

Some history

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project was introduced to the Loveland City Council in 1999. Throughout the years, the biggest hurdle for the project has been funding. The City found different funding sources to move the project forward over the years and is now able to move forward with allocated funding dedicated to the project. The City has been working to acquire the homes along North Taft Avenue from 11th Street to Westshore Drive for the project for the past two years, starting in 2021. In order to accomplish the improvements to widen Taft, additional rights-of-way and easements were required. The City needed to acquire properties in a timely manner to meet construction schedules and progress with an anticipated early 2024 construction date—all of which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities.

Why now?

To meet construction schedules with an anticipated early 2024 construction date, which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities, demolition will occur in Oct. 2023 to keep progress on schedule.

What’s next?

To prepare for preliminary construction, the City will be demolishing eight vacant properties, starting from West 11th Street and Taft Avenue and ending at the corner of Taft Avenue on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard. The properties are the following:

  • 1403 W. 11th St.
  • 1103 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1105 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1309 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1315 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1317 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1319 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1402 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

The demolition will be completed within 4 to 6 weeks. After demolition, the City will begin the next steps toward working with a contractor to discuss the phasing of the project. Phase 1 of the project is expected to start in early summer 2024.

Why are we doing this project?

After reviewing the crash data, including this area into Connect Loveland and reviewing the multi-modal accessibility of the intersection, the City looks forward to incorporating these much-needed improvements to one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

How will this be funded?

The project will be supported by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023):

  • Grant Funding = $3,330,637
  • TABOR Excess = $100,000
  • General Fund = $2,220,829
    • Allocated funds dedicated from 2021 - 2023.
  • Capital Expansion Fees (CEF)= $2,935,828
    • Developer fees dedicated to improving infrastructure for future expansion.

Stay Informed

To stay informed about this project, subscribe to our emailing list in the "Stay Informed" section.

The US 34 highway managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is a regionally traveled road. In addition to serving as a main corridor for Lovelanders, it also heavily used by visitors and guests as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the City’s traffic data, US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard has 28,000 daily commuters and 21,000 Taft Avenue commuters daily. With this information, as well as how many collisions occur through this heavily congested area, the City has worked to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

Once complete, the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project will improve the intersection by providing:

  1. Two through lanes of traffic in each direction on North Taft Avenue (north and southbound).
  2. Double turn lanes
  3. Bike lanes, curb, gutter, and sidewalks to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety.
  4. An updated traffic signal at the US 34 and North Taft Avenue intersection, meeting current industry standards.
  5. Water and electric infrastructure enhancements to accommodate future utility demands.

This work will provide safer conditions on North Taft Avenue and the US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard intersection, as well as improve a multi-modal (walking, biking, driving and public transit) corridor along North Taft Avenue that’s part of the City’s larger Connect Loveland Master Plan.

Some history

The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project was introduced to the Loveland City Council in 1999. Throughout the years, the biggest hurdle for the project has been funding. The City found different funding sources to move the project forward over the years and is now able to move forward with allocated funding dedicated to the project. The City has been working to acquire the homes along North Taft Avenue from 11th Street to Westshore Drive for the project for the past two years, starting in 2021. In order to accomplish the improvements to widen Taft, additional rights-of-way and easements were required. The City needed to acquire properties in a timely manner to meet construction schedules and progress with an anticipated early 2024 construction date—all of which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities.

Why now?

To meet construction schedules with an anticipated early 2024 construction date, which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities, demolition will occur in Oct. 2023 to keep progress on schedule.

What’s next?

To prepare for preliminary construction, the City will be demolishing eight vacant properties, starting from West 11th Street and Taft Avenue and ending at the corner of Taft Avenue on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard. The properties are the following:

  • 1403 W. 11th St.
  • 1103 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1105 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1309 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1315 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1317 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1319 N. Taft Ave.
  • 1402 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

The demolition will be completed within 4 to 6 weeks. After demolition, the City will begin the next steps toward working with a contractor to discuss the phasing of the project. Phase 1 of the project is expected to start in early summer 2024.

Why are we doing this project?

After reviewing the crash data, including this area into Connect Loveland and reviewing the multi-modal accessibility of the intersection, the City looks forward to incorporating these much-needed improvements to one of Loveland’s busiest intersections.

How will this be funded?

The project will be supported by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023):

  • Grant Funding = $3,330,637
  • TABOR Excess = $100,000
  • General Fund = $2,220,829
    • Allocated funds dedicated from 2021 - 2023.
  • Capital Expansion Fees (CEF)= $2,935,828
    • Developer fees dedicated to improving infrastructure for future expansion.

Stay Informed

To stay informed about this project, subscribe to our emailing list in the "Stay Informed" section.

Questions and Answers

Have a question about the project? Ask it below and we'll follow-up shortly!

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  • Share Any word on if there will be a light at 10th Street SW and Taft Avenue? on Facebook Share Any word on if there will be a light at 10th Street SW and Taft Avenue? on Twitter Share Any word on if there will be a light at 10th Street SW and Taft Avenue? on Linkedin Email Any word on if there will be a light at 10th Street SW and Taft Avenue? link

    Any word on if there will be a light at 10th Street SW and Taft Avenue?

    Patti asked 2 months ago

    Hi! Thank you for your question. Currently, 10th Street and Taft Avenue is outside the project's location. Reviewing our traffic signals shows a light on the opposite side of Taft Avenue at the 10th Street intersection. However, if you feel there is an uptake in traffic volumes or safety concerns that we should be aware of, please contact our Traffic Operations Division by filling out our form: https://www.lovgov.org/services/public-works/traffic-operations/report-a-traffic-concern. If you have any additional questions, you may also contact us at PublicWorksInfo@cityofloveland.org or 970-962-2524. Thank you! 

  • Share What changes will be made to the gas station's property and access on the Northeast corner of Taft & Eisenhower? on Facebook Share What changes will be made to the gas station's property and access on the Northeast corner of Taft & Eisenhower? on Twitter Share What changes will be made to the gas station's property and access on the Northeast corner of Taft & Eisenhower? on Linkedin Email What changes will be made to the gas station's property and access on the Northeast corner of Taft & Eisenhower? link

    What changes will be made to the gas station's property and access on the Northeast corner of Taft & Eisenhower?

    bshaddeau asked 26 days ago

    Hi! Thank you for your question. We will be providing the following upgrades to this location: 

    • New curb, gutter, sidewalks and bike lane on Taft. 
    • Directional ADA ramps and new traffic light signal. 

    During construction, we will work directly with the business owners in the area to ensure that exits/entrances for customers and vendors are always maintained. We understand construction is difficult. Our project team is committed to keeping these accesses maintained throughout construction. However, at times, there will be necessary adjustments, so work can be continued throughout the project. 

    Our team will also provide maps for the business owners to give an overview of the exits/entrances impacted throughout the project's four phases. Those deliverables will be shared with business owners and posted online soon. If you have any questions about the project's exits/entrances, please do not hesitate to contact our construction manager, Bonar Crump, at Bonar.Crump@cityofloveland.org or 970-962-2645. Thank you! 

  • Share What is the city going to do with the vacant land after the road improvements are done? on Facebook Share What is the city going to do with the vacant land after the road improvements are done? on Twitter Share What is the city going to do with the vacant land after the road improvements are done? on Linkedin Email What is the city going to do with the vacant land after the road improvements are done? link

    What is the city going to do with the vacant land after the road improvements are done?

    Glenn Chenot asked 5 months ago

    Hello, thank you for your question. After the project is fully completed, the City will be able to determine the outcome of the residual parcels. For additional questions inquiring about the land, please call the Public Works Transportation Engineering Division at 970-962-2524. Thank you! 

  • Share With the widening will there be a turn lane for 12th off Taft? There is a preschool off 12th and the amount of cars that almost rear end from texting or that quickly cut to the left hand lane to avoid slowing is staggering. It seems that intersection is quite a problem area with low visibility from over grown trees and no turn or merge lanes and impatient drivers on Taft. Two weekends ago I even witnessed yet another crash at that intersection. Turn lane can help with through traffic and prevent congestion into the intersection of Taft and 34. on Facebook Share With the widening will there be a turn lane for 12th off Taft? There is a preschool off 12th and the amount of cars that almost rear end from texting or that quickly cut to the left hand lane to avoid slowing is staggering. It seems that intersection is quite a problem area with low visibility from over grown trees and no turn or merge lanes and impatient drivers on Taft. Two weekends ago I even witnessed yet another crash at that intersection. Turn lane can help with through traffic and prevent congestion into the intersection of Taft and 34. on Twitter Share With the widening will there be a turn lane for 12th off Taft? There is a preschool off 12th and the amount of cars that almost rear end from texting or that quickly cut to the left hand lane to avoid slowing is staggering. It seems that intersection is quite a problem area with low visibility from over grown trees and no turn or merge lanes and impatient drivers on Taft. Two weekends ago I even witnessed yet another crash at that intersection. Turn lane can help with through traffic and prevent congestion into the intersection of Taft and 34. on Linkedin Email With the widening will there be a turn lane for 12th off Taft? There is a preschool off 12th and the amount of cars that almost rear end from texting or that quickly cut to the left hand lane to avoid slowing is staggering. It seems that intersection is quite a problem area with low visibility from over grown trees and no turn or merge lanes and impatient drivers on Taft. Two weekends ago I even witnessed yet another crash at that intersection. Turn lane can help with through traffic and prevent congestion into the intersection of Taft and 34. link

    With the widening will there be a turn lane for 12th off Taft? There is a preschool off 12th and the amount of cars that almost rear end from texting or that quickly cut to the left hand lane to avoid slowing is staggering. It seems that intersection is quite a problem area with low visibility from over grown trees and no turn or merge lanes and impatient drivers on Taft. Two weekends ago I even witnessed yet another crash at that intersection. Turn lane can help with through traffic and prevent congestion into the intersection of Taft and 34.

    AMedlin asked 6 months ago

    Hello, thank you for your question! The Taft Avenue and US 34 widening plans include northbound and southbound left turn lanes and a southbound right turn lane at Taft/12th/Loch Mount. Our Traffic Operations team will be looking into the overgrown trees you identified. If you have questions for our Traffic Operations division, you may reach them at 970-962-2524 or through our online Traffic intake form here: https://www.lovgov.org/services/public-works/traffic-operations/report-a-traffic-concern. Thank you! 

     


Page last updated: 26 Apr 2024, 07:58 AM