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County celebrates completion of Valmont Road project, other major road improvements

(Boulder County) – During a grand-opening celebration on Monday, Oct. 16, the Boulder County Commissioners and Department of Transportation celebrated the completion of four major road projects that provide 11 miles of greater safety, wider shoulders and improved traffic flow along County roads.

“These projects represent Boulder County’s continued commitment to providing multi-modal transportation options throughout the county,” Commissioner Will Toor said.

Commissioner Ben Pearlman noted that the projects benefit motorists and cyclists alike. “These wider shoulders, stop lights, and other improvements make it safer and less congested to travel to your destination whether you’re on bike, on foot or in your car,” Pearlman said.

Valmont Road handles more than 20,000 daily vehicle trips, plus bicycle traffic. The County improvements provide much-needed additional capacity and safety upgrades to the stretch of road from 57th to 61st streets. The improvement project:

• Expanded a portion of Valmont Road to four lanes from two;
• Added bicycle- friendly shoulders to improve safety for riders and reduce vehicle/cyclist conflicts;
• Installed two new traffic signals on Valmont Road, at 61st Street and Butte Mill Road;
• Constructed a bridge providing an emergency access route;
• And integrated/connected existing multi-use paths in the vicinity.

The project was completed in September, following about 18 months of construction. The improved Valmont Bridge was designed to withstand a 100-year flood, raising Valmont Road above the flood elevation and effectively mobilizing traffic up and out of the floodplain. Valmont Road now provides the public with an Emergency Access Route to the east county line during a major 100-year flood event. Construction costs for the bridge and channel improvements were shared equally between Boulder County and the Urban Drainage Flood Control District.

Boulder County also celebrated the completion of other shoulder-widening projects along County roads. In mid-September, Boulder County Transportation completed the addition of shoulders along Jay Road from North 63rd to North 75th streets. Users of Jay Road can now enjoy the safety four-foot-wide shoulders from Broadway to 75th Street, adding a much-needed connection in the Gunbarrel community. Farther north, Boulder County completed a shoulder-widening project along Nelson Road from Foothills Highway (US 36) to North 75th Street. The project widened narrow shoulders to four feet along 4.5miles of roadway. Construction of the project wrapped up in August.

Finally, residents of Jamestown and cyclists and motorists using James Canyon are now enjoying greater ease of travel and safety - and fewer conflicts - following the completion of improvements to James Canyon Drive. The nearly three-mile stretch of improvements added uphill shoulders where there had been little more than a white stripe, and gives cyclists a safe place to ride without obstructing traffic. The improvements extend from Lefthand Canyon Drive to the town of Jamestown.

The four projects are part of a seven-year transportation improvement plan funded in part by a 0.10 percent transportation sales and use tax passed by voters in 2001. The tax, which "sunsets" (expires) in 2009, provides funding for specific projects that reduce congestion, improve safety and increase the efficiency of alternative modes of transportation, including improved bus routes, bike shoulders and lanes, and trails.  

Transportation Director, Larry Matel (far right), and Project Engineer, Mike Thomas (2nd from right), pose with the project team who helped design the road and bridge improvements on Valmont Rd. between 57th St. and 61st St.