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.
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
- March 23 to Aug. 20: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.
- Aug. 3-7 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: The Tower Road southbound right lane will be closed intermittently during these times for utility work at the southwest corner of the intersection.
- Aug. 8 | 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: The right northbound and right southbound lanes on Tower Road at E. 96th Avenue will be closed for paving operations at the southern corners of the intersection.
- Aug. 10-11: The Tower Road southbound right lane will be closed for pavement reconstruction and paving at the southwest corner of the intersection.
- 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 – Nov. 6: Traffic will be switched at Tower Road to be on the south side of the roadway for the phase 2 work. This will be the traffic configuration until the project is complete in November.
- Aug. 24 – Sept. 4: 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. 31 – Sept. 11: 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.
Construction Progress
- 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 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 underpass at 2nd Creek is now open. With Chambers Road intersection being closed there is no other safe crossing of E. 96th Ave 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 Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot at the Chambers Road intersection is back open.
- The future eastbound lanes from the west end of the project to Landmark Drive have been paved. The contractor has been working on grading and preparing to pave the roadway between Landmark Drive and Telluride Street.
- Once Xcel Energy lowers their gas line that is conflicting with construction at the Tower Road intersection, the contractor will be able to complete the construction of the Tower Road intersection and switch traffic into Phase II.
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.
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.