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.

Safety Warning to the public and residents

For the safety of residents and workers, the public should not enter active construction zones along E. 96th Avenue and Buckley Road. While some newly paved areas may appear safe for walking, running or bicycling, they remain active work zones with ongoing construction activity and heavy equipment.

Buckley Road is closed and is being used by the contractor to transport equipment and materials between E. 88th Avenue and E. 96th Avenue. Pedestrians and cyclists should avoid this area.

The Wildlife Refuge Perimeter Trail remains open, except along E. 96th Avenue between Chambers Road and the Second Creek Bridge. A signed detour is available through the refuge for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Second Creek pedestrian underpass through CALU Park also remains open and is the preferred route for crossing E. 96th Avenue. We appreciate the community’s patience as work continues to improve E. 96th Avenue.

Road & Lane Closures

  • The project is in a new traffic configuration and will remain in this traffic pattern until the completion of the project. There will be some minor changes to the traffic patterns during the rest of the project but will generally remain in the current pattern. Motorists are asked to be extra careful while using the roadway and be extra cautious of changing traffic patterns.
  • Aug. 17 – Nov. 6: The intersections at Mobile Street and Kalispell Street will be closed at E. 96th Avenue. A signed detour will direct motorists around the closures while the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District completes water main improvements and crews continue roadway construction. 
  • Aug. 20 – Sept. 11: The Nucla Street intersection at E. 96th Avenue will be closed. A signed detour will be in place while the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District completes water main improvements.
  • Aug. 21 – Aug. 27: The intersection of Laredo Street and E. 99th Avenue will be closed for water main work. 
  • Aug. 28 – Sep. 4: The intersection of Laredo Street and E. 98th Way will be closed for water main work. After the work at the 98th Way intersection is complete, the intersection of Laredo St. and E. 98th Avenue will be closed for approximately a week for water main work. 
  • Aug. 31 – Sept. 21: The Reunion Parkway intersection at E. 96th Avenue will be closed. A signed detour will be in place while crews construct the new pedestrian underpass and install a storm sewer bypass.
  • Sept. 14 – Sept. 28: Laredo Street will be closed at E. 96th Avenue to relocate a fire hydrant and to reconstruct the intersection.

     

Construction Progress

  • Traffic has been switched to the newly constructed road on the south side of the median. Motorists are asked to be extra cautious when using E. 96th Avenue, as much has changed. During this phase of construction, crews will be working on completing the north side of the roadway, including the Second Creek Bridge deck, pedestrian underpass, irrigation system improvements, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and median construction.

IRRIGATION NOTICE FOR FRONTERRA EAST FROM SOUTH ADAMS COUNTY WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT

On Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, JHL Constructors will be performing work on the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District’s irrigation system as part of the 96th Avenue widening project. JHL currently expects that the work will be completed by the end of the day on Aug. 31. If unforeseen circumstances impact JHL’s ability to complete the work on that day, the work will continue into Tuesday, Sept. 1 and it may impact your outdoor watering. This work will occur at four different jobsites within the Fronterra East subdivision: 1) 96th Avenue and Kalispell Street, 2) 96th Avenue and Mobile Street, 3) 96th Avenue and Nucla Street, 4) 99th Avenue and Laredo Street.  It is also possible that the start of this work could be delayed from Aug. 31 due to a variety of circumstances. If this is the case, an additional letter will be mailed to impacted customers informing them of the change in schedule. The alternative date to perform the work is Sept. 14.  We apologize for the inconvenience this disruption may cause and appreciate your patience during this time. If you have any questions about the schedule, the work plan, or other related impacts to your irrigation water service during this time, please do not hesitate to contact the district’s customer care team at 303-288-2646.

Sincerely,

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District.

 

  • The contractor is currently working on the construction of the traffic signals at Landmark Drive and Telluride Street, raised medians, pavement, curb & gutter, sidewalks, and the pedestrian underpass at Telluride Street, street lighting, and irrigation.
  • The future eastbound lanes from the west end of the project to just past Second Creek Plaza Drive have been paved. The utilities at Tower Road have been relocated, allowing the contractor to complete the paving of the south side of E. 96th Avenue at Tower Road. Once this paving at Tower Road is complete, the contractor will switch traffic into the Phase II configuration and start the construction on the north side of E. 96th Avenue.
  • The underpass at 2nd Creek is now open. With the Chambers Road intersection being closed, there is no other safe crossing of E. 96th Avenue West of Telluride Street.  Bicyclists and Pedestrians using the Wildlife Refuge perimeter path should access the path via the underpass at the Second Creek Bridge and CALU Park.
  • The work to reconstruct the Chambers Road intersection is now complete, and Chambers Road is back open to the public, and the new signal at Chambers Road has been turned on.
  • The Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot at the Chambers Road intersection is back open.

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 Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 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. The pedestrian underpass at the Second Creek Bridge is back open providing a safe crossing of E. 96th Ave for pedestrians and bicyclists. The pedestrian underpass can be accessed from the south side of E. 96th Ave via CALU Park, see map. 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 this summer. 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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