North College Improvements

Overview

Since 2004, the City of Fort Collins has been working to bring roadway improvements to the North College Corridor. The first section to see improvement was from Jefferson Street to the Pourde River. In 2010, improvements north of Willox Lane along North College Avenue were constructed. The City's focus now turns to the next portion of improvements: Vine Drive to Conifer Street. This work is will be complete in the fall of 2012.
View a detailed map of overall progress on North College improvements (PDF)

Current Construction Update

The City of Fort Collins and Connell Resources, Inc. are managing construction activities for the North College Corridor Improvements - Vine to Conifer area.

May 7 – May 11, 2012

What to expect during the next week:

One lane southbound, Hickory St. to Vine Dr. Closure to remain in place until July 2012.
Utility relocates near Ken’s Muffler.
Concrete paving south of Hickory St. to Hemlock St. moving from north to south May 7 through May 11.
- During this time, only one lane of travel in each direction (northbound/southbound) will be available on College Ave. from Hickory St. to Hemlock St. between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. No left turns will be permitted for traffic traveling in either direction.
Business access on west side of College Ave. will be restricted to business driveways while paving Alpine St. and Pinion St. intersections.

Business accesses most affected next week:

Concrete Paving and Base Course Prep.
- All businesses north of Hemlock St. south of Hickory St.
Concrete Driveways
- All businesses between Hemlock St. and Woodlawn Dr.

What to expect for the upcoming month:

Sidewalk construction from Hemlock St. to Woodlawn Dr. May 21 through June 1.
Concrete paving, curb, gutter and sidewalk construction activities will result in restricted business accesses.

Vine to Confier Project

The Project

North College is undergoing a design and construction project to improve the safety, operations and aesthetics between Vine Drive and the Hickory/Conifer intersection. The project includes redefinition and consolidation of driveways, construction of curb & gutter, an updated stormsystem, the addition of bike lanes, landscaped parkways, and sidewalks, an asphalt overlay, urban design elements, and other necessary improvements. Medians will not be constructed as part of this project.

View renderings and design concepts (PDF)

Project Funding

In 2005, Fort Collins voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund capital projects – Building on Basics (BOB). One of the transportation projects funded through this package is “North College Avenue Improvements Phase 2 – Vine Drive to Conifer.” This project is the next phase of the improvements that were initially funded through the Building Community Choices (BCC) capital plan, which expired in 2005. The BCC program funded improvements from Jefferson to Vine Drive.

The 2005 BOB ballot language included the following project description: “North College Avenue Improvement Phase 2 – Vine Drive to Conifer. The project will provide for the re-design of North College Avenue to bring the road to current arterial standards from Vine Drive to Conifer Street and for the acquisition of right-of-way needed for construction along North College Avenue. Construction will include curb, gutter and minor street patching; redefinition and consolidation of driveway; bike lanes and sidewalks, new streetscape and other necessary improvements."

Funding Sources:

City Funds/Building on Basics sales tax: $4,800,000
Residual funds from Northern Colorado Truck Route Relocation Project: $1,800,000
Residual funds from Building Community Choices Sales Tax: $2,700,000*
State/Federal funds: $1,800,000
Overall project cost estimate: $11.19 M

* Funds to be repaid to the City of Fort Collins by the Urban Renewal Authority

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Project Schedule

September 2011 – February 2012, Pre-Road Construction:
Constructing water quality ponds and designated utility improvements

February – June 2012, Phase I Road Construction:
Construction on west side of College Avenue
One southbound lane will be closed, northbound traffic will be unaffected

July – October 2012, Phase II Road Construction:
Construction on east side of College Avenue
One southbound lane will be closed, northbound traffic will be unaffected

Late October 2012, Phase III Road Construction:
Final asphalt overlay on both sides of College Avenue

Public Outreach

During the conceptual design phase of the project, extensive public outreach was used to assist the City in developing a conceptual design. This outreach continued through the development of the final engineering plans; for example, working with impacted property owners to develop site specific solutions, and providing general project updates to interested parties as the project progressed. A public open house to kick-off construction was held on February 8, 2012.

The City will continue to provide updates through the project website, North College Updates eNewsletter, and at the North Fort Collins Business Association’s monthly meeting.

Construction Public Information Officer

If you should have any questions, comments or concerns related to construction, please contact the project's Public Information Officer, Chris DeJulio, of Connell Resources, Inc. at (970) 493-1449 or

Project improvement areas are shaded in orange. Urban Renewal Authority (URA) revitalization projects are noted in blue. More on URAs at renewfortcollins.com

Project Partnerships

This project has very much been a collaborative effort. Various City departments have worked together to develop a design that addresses many important local and regional needs.

The City’s Engineering, Transportation Planning, Advance Planning, Real Estate Services, Traffic Operations, Stormwater, Utilities, Parks, Historic Preservation, Art in Public Places and Finance are partners in this project, along with the following organizations and interested parties:

Fort Collins City Council
Colorado Department of Transportation
North College Urban Renewal Authority
North Fort Collins Business Association
Area property/business owners
Fort Collins City Boards & Commissions
Other interested stakeholders

Related Plans & Reports (PDF)

Contacts

Matt Baker, Construction Project Manager
City of Fort Collins
Street Oversizing Program Manager
970-222-0748 or

Randy Maizland, Construction Project Engineer
City of Fort Collins
Civil Engineer
970-218-5658 or

Chris DeJulio, Construction Public Information Officer
Connell Resources, Inc.
970-493-1449 or