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.
Public Meetings
Check back here for dates and locations of future public meetings!
Previously quarterly public meeting were held on June 10 at Bison Ridge Recreation Center and Oct. 1 at Southlawn Elementary School to update the public on the status of construction.
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.
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
Current Status and Impacts
Road & Lane Closures
- As part of phase 1 of the E. 96th Avenue Widening Project. Night work will be occurring on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning at the Landmark Drive intersection to stand the traffic signal poles and mast arms. This work is required to occur in the evening for the safety of the public and the contractor performing the work. To safely stand the traffic poles and mast arms the contractor will stop traffic on E. 96th Avenue for 15 minute intervals. Flaggers will be on-site for traffic control for the work.
- Telluride Street will be closed at E. 96th Avenue starting Jan. 5, 2026, for approximately one month, for construction of the 36-inch water main crossing of Telluride Street and phase I of the pedestrian underpass construction. A detour will be in place via Landmark Drive and E. 94th Way. Additional traffic control will be in place at 96th and Landmark to increase safety in the affected area, and pedestrian access will be maintained in the closure area along 96th Avenue. To reduce congestion and construction-related delays, drivers are encouraged to avoid E. 96th Avenue and use alternate routes. Access to residential areas south of E. 96th Avenue is recommended via Tower Road and E. 88th Avenue.
- Temporary Traffic Signals being installed at Landmark Drive and 2nd Creek Plaza Drive.
- The necessary materials for the temporary traffic signals have been delayed in delivery. As an alternative, the following actions have been taken:
- There are flaggers on site to flag the intersections with E. 96th Avenue at Landmark Drive and at Second Creek Plaza Drive between 7:00 AM to dusk. For safety of all, flaggers will not be present after dusk or during non-daylight hours.
- While flaggers are not on site, the intersections will be converted to stop conditions with temporary stop signs, stop bars, advance warning signs, and orange flags.
- Temporary signals are now planned to be installed at the intersections with Second Creek Plaza Drive and Landmark Drive on Monday January 12, 2026.
Construction Progress
- The contractor continues to work on the construction of the bridge over Second Creek and the new watermains for South Adams County Water and Sanitation District.
- The roadway between Telluride Street and Second Creek Plaza Drive has been paved.
- The contractor is currently working on grading the roadway east of Telluride Street to Tower Road in preparation of paving the roadway, construct storm sewer, and building the traffic signals at Chambers Road, Landmark Drive, and Telluride Street.
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.