E. 96th Avenue Widening Project
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, in both directions, will be restricted to two-way traffic without dedicated left- or right-turn lanes. Lane widths on Tower Road will be reduced to 11 feet. 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. Due to these changes, overall intersection capacity will be reduced. During this phase, the focus is on safely moving all roadway users through the intersection.
- Thursday, April 2 to Friday April 10: The southbound right lane on Reunion will be closed for watermain work.
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Monday, April 6 to Saturday, April 18: Adolfson & Peterson, the school's contractor, will close Reunion Parkway in both directions from E. 96th Avenue to E. 98th Avenue to complete required improvements related to the new High School. Please note: This closure is not related to the E. 96th Avenue Widening Project.(See detour map below)
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Tuesday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (tentative): This work is dependent on Xcel Energy lowering a gas line that conflicts with construction. The right southbound lane on Tower Road will be closed to install a concrete barrier to protect the work zone. Simultaneously, the right northbound lane will be closed while crews install a temporary barrier wall and saw-cut pavement. Once barrier installation and pavement cutting are complete, all lanes will reopen.
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One day between Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (exact date to be determined): The southbound left turn from Chambers Road onto eastbound E. 96th Avenue will be closed for traffic signal maintenance at the intersection.
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Monday, April 13 to Friday, May 1: Second Creek Plaza Drive will be closed for pavement reconstruction through the intersection. Traffic will be detoured to use Telluride Street. (See detour map below)
- Saturday, April 18 to Saturday, May 16: Adolfson & Peterson, the 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 their required improvements related to the new High School.
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Thursday, April 23 to Monday, May 18: The Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot at Chambers will be closed to reconstruct the entrance.
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Monday, April 27 to Monday, May 11: Landmark Drive will be closed to reconstruct the intersection pavement. This work was originally scheduled to occur in April and had to be rescheduled.
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Tuesday, May 19 to Tuesday, June 16: Chambers will be closed between E. 96th Avenue and E. 98th Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be flipped onto the new pavement on the south side of the roadway and westbound traffic will be on the north side of the roadway between Landmark Road and Jasper Street to allow eastbound traffic to have a dedicated left turn lane at Laredo Street into the Fronterra neighborhood while Chambers Road is closed.
Construction Progress
- The contractor has begun reconstructing the southeast corner of the Tower Road intersection and is preparing work on the southwest corner.
- 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
There are currently no public meetings scheduled. 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. 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.
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.