Board accepts grant for conflict warning systems at two intersections

Published on July 31, 2024

A joint effort to increase safety at two Weld County intersections was formalized Monday when the board of county commissioners entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Through the IGA, Weld County will receive a CDOT-administered grant in the amount of $222,000 for the construction and installation of conflict warning systems at two intersections: Weld County Road (WCR) 17 and WCR 38, located southwest of Milliken and State Highway 392 and WCR 43, located east of Lucerne.

“Continuing to find ways to make our roads as safe and efficient as possible is a top priority,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner Chair. “We’re pleased that CDOT has awarded the county a grant for this project, which has the potential to reduce accidents, injuries and save lives.”

Both intersections are controlled by two-way flashing stop signs. The conflict warning systems will consist of solar-powered signs that will display messages to drivers of oncoming traffic. Examples of messages displayed include: “Traffic present ahead, “Traffic approaching when flashing” and “Cross traffic does not stop.”

Conflict warning systems have been shown to reduce fatal and injury accidents at intersections by 27%, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Utilizing data between 2018 and 2022, traffic studies from the Weld County Department of Public Works show broadside accidents as a concern at the intersection of WCR 17 and WCR 38, which has an average daily traffic rate of approximately 6,060 vehicles. That same data shows preoccupied drivers as a significant cause of crashes at State Highway 392 and WCR 43, an intersection utilized by approximately 7,030 vehicles daily.

While the grant covers most of the project cost, the county is contributing $18,000 toward the $240,000 project, and Public Works will serve as the project manager.  The design of the conflict warning systems will be complete by the end of 2024, and construction and installation of the systems is expected to begin in 2025 after a project contractor is selected.