In observance of the Independence Day national holiday, all Douglas County Government offices will be closed Thursday, July 4. Offices will reopen on Friday, July 5, for normal business. Many County services are available 24/7 by visiting online services.
Under Construction
Click here to receive updates on this project by email
Updated June 28, 2024
C-470 and US 85 interchange progress
Thank you for your patience! This week, crews reached a construction milestone by safely setting 20 new bridge beams over C-470, east of the newly built portion of the US 85 bridge this week. Bridge work will continue above C-470 next week, requiring nighttime single-lane closures.
Traffic Alignment Changes
Overnight Monday, July 1, travel lanes on US 85 near Town Center Drive will be moved to the outside of the roadway to allow crews to begin median installations. Use caution and heed the speed limit while navigating the new traffic pattern.
Left Turn Restrictions
As a reminder, you can only make left turns at signalized intersections. No left turns are allowed throughout the corridor at private driveways and unsignalized intersections. Access has changed to right-in, right-out only between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470, except for signalized intersections.
As a reminder, pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted in the work zone. Please heed the closure signage and follow signed detours to safely cross US 85 along the trails.
See the “Schedule” section below for more detailed information on traffic impacts. For background information prior to construction, visit US85DouglasCounty.com
This project will improve safety, mobility, and traffic operations by widening (from four to six lanes) and reconstructing a segment of US 85 (South Santa Fe Drive) from Highlands Ranch Parkway, extending north of the C-470 Interchange to Dad Clark Gulch (which is located approximately 1,200 feet north of County Line Road). Major US 85 intersection improvements will occur at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Town Center Drive, Blakeland Drive, the C-470 Interchange ramps and at County Line Road. The project also includes the replacement and widening of the existing bridge that carries US 85 over C-470.
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 community to the C-470 Trail.
The project also includes the addition of continuous auxiliary lanes, new asphalt paving, relocation of utilities, raised medians, new curb and gutter, and a new closed storm sewer system with water quality ponds.
Timeline: Fall 2022 to Fall 2025
Partial Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) will be installed for the following traffic movements:
View a map of US 85 Interchange at the above 3 listed intersections.
Other projects along US 85 in Douglas County
June 30- July 6:
There will be no traffic impacts or work operations over the 4th of July holiday beginning noon Wednesday, July 3 until 6 a.m., Monday, July 8.
Major Impacts:
Daily Impacts:
Please give yourself extra time and pay attention to posted speed limits and signage. If weather conditions do not allow this work to take place as originally scheduled, crews will conduct this work at a later date.
Trail Closures
Three trail closures will stay in place into 2025 while crews install new underpasses to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely pass under US 85.
Bus Access: RTD, in partnership with the project team, has closed the Bus Route 402L stops on US 85 between County Line Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway to allow crews to work safely. Though some stops are closed, the Route will remain in service. Customers should sign up for RTD’s Service Alerts and use the Trip Planner app to plan an alternate route.
Business Access has permanently changed to right-in, right-out only at private driveways and un-signalized intersections between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470. Left turns at Norwood Drive, Carder Court, Brandon Drive, Grace Presbyterian Church, and Spring Gulch Equestrian Area are no longer allowed. View business access changes.
As always, we ask you to please continue to pay extra attention and follow all posted signage through the construction zone. Expect increased enforcement to ensure the safety of crews and motorists. Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted in the work zone – please use signed and signaled intersections to cross US 85.
