US 85 & Weld County Road 44 Interchange

Work this Week
March 27 - 31, 2023

Anticipated construction activities and traffic impacts for the week of 3/27/2023

  • CR 44 bridge and abutment work
  • Expect frequent truck traffic and construction vehicles entering and exiting the work zone from CR 44 for hauling and grading activities
  • Daily lane closures are possible on US 85 (both directions) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in addition to traffic shifts while crews place temporary and permanent asphalt pavement
  • Prepare for US 85 traffic shift during the week of April 3, tentative
  • Place material for the new southbound US 85 alignment
  • CR 33 is closed to all traffic at US 85
  • CR 44 is restricted to right-in, right-out at US 85

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

About the Project:

A new grade-separated interchange will be constructed at the intersection at U.S. 85 and Weld County Road 44 in Peckham, Colorado. The purpose of the new interchange is to improve safety, eliminate interaction between roadway traffic and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), and provide efficient access control.

A new grade-separated interchange is needed to address the following issues:

  • Safety – The current US 85 and WCR 44 intersection and roadway approaches experience higher than expected number of crashes due to the skewed angle of the intersection.
  • Railroad Proximity – The proximity of the UPRR and the US 85/WCR 44 intersection negatively impacts the operations and safety of the intersection.
  • Access – The current number, locations, and design of public roadway accesses have contributed to traffic operational and safety deficiencies along the corridor.

After considering several intersection configurations and discussing the alternatives with the public and local agencies, the new interchange includes the following improvements:

  • Moving the existing US 85 and WCR 44 intersection north along US 85
  • Continuing the grade-separation of WCR 44 over the UPRR to the east
  • Constructing a roundabout at the west end of the grade-separated interchange
  • Permanent closure of WCR 33 at US 85 and UPRR

Work Schedule

  • Work starts in December 2021.
  • Project completion expected in Late 2023.
  • All work is weather-dependent and the schedule is subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

  • US 85 will remain open during construction.
  • Since most construction activity will take place adjacent to the highway, only infrequent traffic impacts are anticipated on US 85.
  • General work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
    occasional extended hours and weekend work is possible.
  • Expect trucks entering and exiting the work zone. Frequent truck trips are anticipated for several months to haul materials to the site.
  • Speed limit reductions and width restrictions will be in place as needed.

Project Facts

  • Cost: $28.5 Million
  • Contractor: Jalisco International, Inc.
  • Timeline: December 2021 - Late 2023
  • Location: Intersection of US 85 and Weld County Road 44 in Peckham, Colorado

US 85 WCR 44 Interchange Map

US 85 WCR 44 Interchange Map
(Click image to enlarge)