Moving forward…
The following update was provided by CDOT in February 2023:
As of mid-September 2022, the project moved in a different direction. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), rather than Douglas County, will plan, build and maintain the new signal.
CDOT determined that Douglas County’s concept / idea of installing temporary traffic signal poles that use span wire to be unacceptable since CDOT considers the County’s approach / idea to be appropriate only as a short-term solution (for up to 4 years of service).
CDOT does not have construction funding currently identified in its 10-year plan to complete the widening and reconstruction of US 85 between Sedalia (State Hwy 67) and Castle Rock Parkway. This lack of funding influenced the type of traffic signal poles and other traffic signal elements that CDOT would allow to be used at the US 85 / Daniels Park Road intersection, and therefore this proposed type of traffic signal infrastructure will need to be left in-service much longer than the parties originally anticipated.
Josh Breedlove is the CDOT Resident Engineer, and he will manage the project as it moves forward in a slightly new direction. Josh can be reached at [email protected]
Update: The anticipated construction start date is now between January to March of 2024 due to signal pole and mast arm production and delivery delays.
Background Information:
- Beginning in 2019, Douglas County initiated the proposed new traffic signal design through a contract with AECOM for at the intersection of US 85 and Daniels Park Road and worked with CDOT to advance the right-of-way plans.
- In 2021, the County obtained additional right-of-way at this intersection, as well as worked with Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA, a.k.a. CORE Electric) to complete the relocation and undergrounding of their facilities into a new permanent utility easement west of Daniels Park Road. IREA completed their work in the fall of 2021, which needed to occur before a traffic signal could be installed.
- During the summer of 2022, County staff met with CDOT staff to discuss the best way to advance this project, and at the time, CDOT agreed to take on the future construction responsibilities for the proposed new traffic signal. CDOT design criteria needs to be followed because CDOT will own, operate, and maintain the new traffic signal.
- In mid-September 2022, CDOT held a project kickoff meeting. Due to CDOT’s lack of funding to complete the US 85 widening and reconstruction project, the proposed traffic signal poles and other traffic signal elements will need to be left in service much longer than the parties originally anticipated; and the County believes it makes the most sense for CDOT to manage the project moving forward, especially since CDOT owns, operates, and maintains US 85 and the proposed new traffic signal.
- On Feb. 21, 2023, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners signed an agreement with CDOT to share funding for the new signal.
The County believes this project to be a very important safety improvement and is still planning to provide CDOT with a significant financial contribution (equal to what the County currently appropriated for the temporary traffic signals that would have utilized span wire) in a future Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).