E. 96th Avenue Widening Project

East 96th Avenue arial view looking East

About the Project

The E. 96th Avenue widening project between Chambers Road and Tower Road presents an exciting opportunity to improve connectivity and infrastructure along this important arterial roadway.

Before 2015, E. 96th Avenue did not extend across Second Creek, instead turning south into Buckley Road. That changed in 2015 when the city completed construction of the bridge over Second Creek and the two westbound lanes. With additional new development continuing to occur in the area, the current project is set to complete the full buildout of this essential roadway to four lanes with a dividing median from Tower to Chambers.

Project Details

This project will construct the median and two eastbound lanes from Chambers Road to Tower Road and includes sidewalks, multi-use paths, storm sewer, water lines, traffic signals at Chambers, Landmark, Reunion/Telluride, modifications to the signal at Tower Road, and completion of the bridge over Second Creek.

Current Status and Impacts

Project dates may be adjusted due to weather, material availability, contractor scheduling, or unforeseen conditions. Updates will be provided as the project progresses.

Road & Lane Closures

  • March 23 to early July: The Tower Road intersection will enter Phase 1 traffic control. E. 96th Avenue at Tower Road. Eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane without a dedicated left- or right-turn lane. Westbound traffic will have a dedicated left turn lane with a combination through/right turn lane. Daily lane closures on Tower Road will occur during this phase to support activities such as paving and traffic control adjustments at the end of the phase. Commercial traffic is encouraged to use 104th Avenue and avoid E. 96th Avenue during this configuration.
  • Saturday, April 18 to May, May 22: Rocky Vista High School's contractor, will have the westernmost side of Reunion Parkway closed between E. 96th Avenue and E. 98th Avenue. Traffic will be open for both northbound and southbound directions; however, there will be no parking, and the lane widths will be restricted. This closure is for the school to complete its required improvements related to the new High School.

  • Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 22: The Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot at Chambers will be closed to reconstruct the entrance.

  • Monday, April 27 to the end of May: Landmark Drive will be closed to reconstruct the intersection pavement. This work was originally scheduled to occur in April and had to be rescheduled. The date Landmark Drive to be opened had to be pushed from May 11 to end of May due to the contractor having to mitigate poor soils at the intersection and due to weather delays.

  • Saturday, May 16 (Weekend work 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.): Construction Crews will work on Landmark Drive to proactively maintain progress on E 96th Ave Widening Project ahead of the forecasted inclement weather, helping keep the project on schedule and positioning Landmark Drive to reopen before the end of May.

     

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  • Tuesday, May 26 through Monday, June 29: Chambers Road will be closed between E. 96th Avenue and E. 98th Avenue to allow crews to reconstruct the north end of the intersection at Chambers Road and E. 96th Avenue. During the closure, eastbound traffic on E. 96th Avenue will be shifted onto the new pavement on the south side of the roadway, while westbound traffic will travel on the north side of the roadway between Nucla Street and Jasper Street. This traffic configuration will maintain a dedicated eastbound left-turn lane at Laredo Street for access into the Fronterra neighborhood while Chambers Road is closed. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes, including E. 104th Avenue, during this closure.

Construction Progress

  • Second Creek Plaza Drive is back open to traffic. Landmark Drive is closed for pavement reconstruction and Phase I of the pedestrian box culvert has been installed and backfilled.
  • The contractor has begun reconstructing the southern corners of the Tower Road intersection.
  • Work has started on Phase 1 (south half) of the pedestrian underpass. The temporary earth retention systems have been installed, the box culvert has been installed, are beginning to install a soil retention system on the end of the box culvert and start backfilling the culvert and constructing the cast in place headwall on the south side of the roadway.
  • The installation of the watermain in a casing pipe under E. 96th Avenue at Landmark is complete. The intersection is back open and will be for the next couple of weeks. The intersection is scheduled to be closed from April 27 to May 11 to reconstruct the pavement at the intersection.
  • Crews continue work on traffic signals at Chambers Road, Landmark Drive and Telluride Street, as well as construction of the raised median and new water mains for the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District. 

Public Meetings

Residents are encouraged to engage in Commerce City's quarterly SpeakUp events. Stop by different tables to provide input on projects or programs, learn about city services, and ask questions. If you don’t have specific issues in mind, bring your curiosity and find out what’s new, or chat with a City Council member about what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Next SpeakUp event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Ave. Learn more at c3gov.com/SpeakUp.

Project Documents

Construction Phasing Plan
(PDF, 45MB)
Final Roadway Configuration
(PDF, 12MB)
Roadway Construction Plans:

E. 96th Avenue Final Traffic Study:

E. 96th Avenue Final Traffic Noise Technical Report:

Project Timeline

Construction Start Date: March 2025
Expected Completion: December of 2026

Arsenal Perimeter Trail detour

As of mid-April 2025, a detour is currently in place at the northeast corner of the Arsenal Perimeter Trail, near where E. 96th Avenue formerly intersected with Buckley Road. The detour carries users onto the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, cutting across the northeast corner of the arsenal property between Chambers Road at 96th and Buckley Road north of E. 88th Avenue. Please note that pets are prohibited on refuge property and will not be allowed on the detour route.

The construction of the Arsenal Perimeter trail is being constructed and is expected to open back up in February. This will allow the detour through the Wildlife Refuge will be removed.

Map showing a detour for the E. 96th Ave Arsenal Perimeter Trail in Commerce City. The trail is closed along E. 96th Ave (marked in red) with a green detour path. Pets are not allowed on the detour route.

This map shows the temporary closure and detour of the E. 96th Avenue Arsenal Perimeter Trail in Commerce City. The closed section is highlighted in red, running along E. 96th Avenue from just west of Second Creek to Buckley Road. A green dashed line indicates the detour route through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, curving southwest before reconnecting to Buckley Road. The detour is marked with a note: “Trail Detour – No pets / Desvío del sendero – No se admiten mascotas.” Several landmarks are shown, including Sweet Awakening Wellness Center, Buffalo Highlands Fit & Play Park, and residential neighborhoods along E. 96th Avenue.

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