Sedalia – The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin widening a stretch of U.S. 85 in Douglas County next month, putting a kink in the scenic alternative to Interstate 25.
The work will include repaving and widening to four lanes a mile of the highway south of Louviers, as well as utility work north of the Titan Parkway interchange.
The work, part of an overall $5.8 million project, is expected to take a year.
“This is another piece of the puzzle to widening U.S. 85 from Denver to Castle Rock,” said Bob Wilson, a spokesman for the state highway department.
The widening would accommodate north Douglas County’s growth and lessen the traffic on I-25. The state has not yet funded or set a timetable for the remaining 9 miles that will be left once the latest work is complete.
CDOT will hold a public meeting on the work Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the West Douglas County Fire Department at 4037 W. Platte Ave. in Sedalia.
Officials haven’t closed the highway at any point but have used detours and nighttime lane closures during each phase.
“It’s a hassle, but it will be nice when they finally get it done,” Cedrick Manendez of Littleton said Friday, as he filled his tank near the construction zone. “I had rather use this road than I-25 any day.”
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-820-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
