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Give yourself an extra 20 minutes traveling US 85 from Highlands Ranch Parkway to County Line and at C-470 as part of US 85 Widening Project
Posted on May 5, 2025 2025News and EventsTransportation
Good news first: the US 85 Widening Project is in its final phases of construction and is expected to be completed later this year. Yet, as crews work to safely finish construction, there are significant delays you should plan for in May – including delays up to 20 minutes.
Through May, paving of the final layer of asphalt along 2.5 miles of US 85 (Santa Fe) will occur between Highlands Ranch Parkway and north of County Line Road, including the new C-470 bridge and on- and off-ramps.
Impactful lane closures, intermittent turn restrictions at signalized intersections and temporary traffic holds up to 20 minutes will be in place Saturday, May 10, through Thursday, May 15, to facilitate paving. Crews will make every effort to ensure businesses and side streets remain accessible, although some may be impacted temporarily while the paving machine crosses the entrance.
All paving work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled as needed. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and allow extra travel time in active work zones.
Closure details for paving operations from May 10 through May 15 are listed below:
Saturday, May 10, from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. – Add to Calendar
Sunday, May 11, from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m.– Add to Calendar
Monday, May 12, and Tuesday, May 13, from 5 a.m. until 3 p.m.– Add to Calendar
Wednesday, May 14, and if needed, Thursday, May 15, from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m.– Add to Calendar
Weekend-long impacts at the C-470 and US 85 interchange will be required in the coming weeks to finish paving on the new bridge and connecting ramps. Stay up to date by signing up for emails or visiting our project website.
What is Top Mat paving?
The top mat paving process represents the final surface layer in roadway construction and is critical for enhancing the longevity and performance of roads. Once completed, road users will notice a smooth, durable, and aesthetically pleasing finish. Top mat paving is designed to withstand traffic and weather conditions, ensuring a long-lasting, high-quality pavement surface and reducing sound output by using materials that absorb noise.
Project Overview
The project has widened US 85 from four to six lanes and replaced and widened the bridge that carries US 85 over C-470, in addition to reconstructing three intersections with new continuous flow alignments. Multimodal improvements include bus stop enhancements, a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on the east side of US 85, a below-grade crossing for the C-470 Trail at US 85, a below-grade crossing for the High Line Canal Trail at US 85, and a new pedestrian link from the Wolhurst Senior Community to the C-470 Trail.
The newly widened roadway and reconstructed interchanges will alleviate traffic and create safer travel as part of the US 85 Widening Project and corridor improvements being made from Highlands Ranch Parkway to north of C-470 by Douglas County.
Get Updates on the US 85 widening project
Stay updated by signing up for emails – select “US 85 Construction.”
For more information about the upcoming work and to stay updated on construction impacts, please visit our website, douglas.co.us/us-85-construction.
Other Roadwork
Interested in knowing what’s happening on roads throughout Douglas County? Sign up for Douglas County’s Cone Zone email notifications. For statewide road conditions, visit cotrip.org.
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