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.

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

  • The left turn lane at Chambers Road has been restored.
  • The entrance to the RMA Wildlife Refuge parking lot at E. 96th Avenue and Chambers Road has been reopened.
  • From Dec. 8 to Dec 31, 2025, E. 96th Avenue will be reduced to one lane between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. between Reunion Pkwy./Telluride Street and Landmark Drive. The southern lane will be closed, and flaggers will be positioned to flag the one-way traffic. It is recommended to use alternate routes, such as E. 104th Avenue, to travel through the corridor during the one-way lane closure. This closure is required for storm sewer construction in proximity to the roadway.
  • Telluride Street will be closed at E. 96th Avenue starting Jan. 5, 2026, and is scheduled to be reopened on Feb. 5, 2026, for construction of the 36-inch water main crossing of Telluride Street and phase I of the pedestrian underpass construction. There will be a detour in place via Landmark Drive and E. 94th Way. To relieve stress on the detour route and construction traffic, drivers should avoid using E. 96th and use alternate routes such as accessing the residential areas south of E. 96th Ave. from Tower and E. 88th Avenue.

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 Landmark Driver and Nucla Street has been paved, following the earlier stretch paved between Second Creek Bridge and Landmark. The contractor is continuing to prepare the roadway for pavement between Chambers and Nucla. 
  • The roadway widening on the south side of E. 96th Avenue west of Chambers Road. is complete, and the left turn lane has been restored.
  • 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 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.

This stretch of the perimeter trail is expected to remain closed for the remainder of 2025 due to construction activities.

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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