FOR RELEASE: US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project prepares for a portion of Phase 4 on June 9
City of Loveland, Colorado
MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT: Illianna Milldrum, Communication and Engagement Specialist, 970-962-2608, Illianna.Milldrum@cityofloveland.org
US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project prepares for a portion of Phase 4 on June 9
LOVELAND, Colo. – June 5, 2025 – On Monday, June 9, the City of Loveland will begin new median construction on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Westshore Drive to Prospect Avenue as part of Phase 4 for the US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement project. Completion of this work is anticipated to be approximately two weeks, weather permitting. Working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, with single lane closures in place throughout the median construction. This portion of Phase 4 will be run concurrently with Phase 3c.
Phase 3c is a full closure of N. Taft Avenue from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard to 18th Street that began on May 15. Phase 3c is expected to be completed by the end of June. Phase 3c is focused on completing the remaining curb, gutter, and ADA sidewalk, along with widening N. Taft Avenue to align with the improved roadway on S. Taft Avenue.
“Our project team is taking every opportunity to find construction efficiencies and advance the project timeline forward,” said City Engineer Nicole Hahn. “We also understand how challenging this project has been for nearby businesses and residents, and we’re eager to see it completed. The anticipated increase in traffic on US 34 during the week of the 4th of July has also motivated us to move quickly on the median improvements. The finish line is in sight, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome the new intersection by the end of July.”
Why is Phase 3c and a portion of Phase 4 happening at the same time?
To help accelerate the project timeline, Phase 3c and Phase 4 will run concurrently. While N. Taft Avenue is closed, limiting traffic, the project will complete the extended medians along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Westshore Drive to Prospect Avenue. Additionally, this work is being completed now to avoid the increased traffic impact on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard that will travel to Estes Park during the week of 4th of July.
When will Phase 3c be completed?
Phase 3c is projected to be completed by the end of June.
Why will Phase 4 require single lanes?
While Phase 3c is still under construction, traffic control will be positioned along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard from Westshore Drive to Prospect Avenue. When Phase 4 begins, traffic control will be modified to include the installation of the extended medians starting from Westshore Drive to Prospect Avenue. During that time, only single lanes of travel will be allowed due to how narrow the road will be throughout the duration of construction. Additionally, the project will maintain the westbound left-turn lane from US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard onto southbound Taft Avenue, as well as the eastbound right-turn lane onto southbound Taft Avenue.
Why are we completing a portion of Phase 4 improvements during the day? What will be completed at night?
Because of the location of the medians and on a heavily traveled area, construction will occur during the day to offer appropriate cure time for the concrete and allow crews to safely work at the center of the road. Once the medians are installed, the project will complete the milling and paving operations at night. The remainder of Phase 4 work will be completed after the 4th of July.
Will any left turn movements be limited while this work is completed?
During the construction of the medians along US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard, eastbound traffic on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard will have limited single lane access. Single lanes of travel will be temporary while the medians are installed.
What are the upcoming changes once the medians are installed?
As part of the Phase 4 improvements, changes to the eastbound and westbound lanes on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard will include the extension of left-turn lanes to increase intersection capacity and reduce congestion.
The first improvement will be the extension of the westbound left-turn lane at US 34 and Taft Avenue. This added capacity will help prevent traffic congestion from backing up on US 34. The extension of the left-turn lane prevents left-hand traffic from backing up in the through lanes and improves safety and operations of the intersection. As a result, the eastbound left-turn lane on US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard into the Village Inn Shopping Center will be removed to accommodate the longer turn lane. However, U-turns near Westshore Drive will remain accessible.
The eastbound left-turn lanes at US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue will be extended to improve intersection capacity and enhance traffic flow. As a result of this modification, the left-turn lanes into some of the existing access points in this area will no longer be available. These improvements are designed to enhance community safety while facilitating smoother traffic movement through this busy intersection.
The project is anticipated to be fully completed by July 2025, weather permitting. Additional project details including detour maps, images and other project updates, can be found at go.lovgov.org/taft-and-us34. Residents who wish to sign up for project newsletter or contact the project team can email taftusimprovement@getinfonow.us or call 970-599-7788.
About
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 acquired and demolished the homes along the west side of Taft Avenue from 11th Street to US 34/Eisenhower Boulevard. To accomplish the improvements to widen Taft Avenue, additional rights-of-way and easements were required. The City acquired these properties to meet construction schedules and progress with an anticipated summer 2024 construction date—all of which is necessary to leverage federal grant funding opportunities.
Project Funding
The US 34 and Taft Avenue Intersection Improvement Project is funded by multiple funding streams collected over the past 10 years to move the project forward (2013-2023). Those funding streams include grants, TABOR, General Fund, Capital Expansion Fees and the Water Enterprise Fund. To learn more about the budget for this project, visit letstalkloveland.org/us34-and-taft-intersection-improvements.
