Two Rivers Parkway project supports long-term vision for corridor

Published on February 06, 2023

Weld County Commissioners approved the temporary closure of Two Rivers Parkway beginning Feb. 21, 2023, through July 1, 2023, while maintenance is performed on the heavily used road. But the significance of the closure extends far beyond typical road construction. It emphasizes the importance of continuing the leadership and foresight that past county commissioners put into motion 26 years ago.

In 1997, Weld County completed work to transform what was a gravel road — Weld County Road 27.5 — into Two Rivers Parkway, a paved road capable of meeting current and future traffic demand. Two years later, the county received an Energy and Mineral Impact Grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to extend the road two miles to connect it to Weld County Road 54, which connects to Highway 34. Now, as the county’s population has more than doubled since Two Rivers Parkway was initially created, its average daily traffic rate has increased to 9,825 — a factor that requires maintenance and improvements to the road to ensure continued safety and efficiency.

“When this road was initially paved and improved in the late ’90s, the county’s population was just over 151,000, and it’s now over 340,000,” Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman said. “The increased growth and increased demand on our transportation system makes projects like this critical to ensure our  roads continue to meet travelers’ needs.”

Work planned includes culvert replacement, bridge rehabilitation, and road construction, including rebuilding the road’s subgrade, paving the north and south sections of the road, and completing shoulder work. Detours are paved and include WCR 54 between Two Rivers Parkway and Highway 257, Highway 257 between WCR 54 and Highway 60 and Highway 60 between Highway 257 and Two Rivers Parkway.

“When we build or do maintenance activities on a road, everything from to design to construction is done with the goal of getting the most life out of it as possible,” said Curtis Hall, Director of Weld County’s Department of Public Works. “Two Rivers Parkway lasted 25 years without needing major maintenance, and it’s our goal with these construction activities to strengthen the road’s level of service so it can for another 25 years.”

To ensure the project is done quickly and with as little delay as possible, work will be completed by Public Works along with outside contractors. The public is encouraged to follow project progress and updates by signing up to receive regular email alerts. Simply visit the county’s newsletter page, enter an email and select Two Rivers Parkway Project Updates.