Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper led a groundbreaking ceremony last month for the I-25 North Express Lanes from Johnstown to Fort Collins, starting this project to improve travel reliability and ease traffic congestion in Northern Colorado.’
According to the State Demography Office, the population of Larimer County, currently 316,000 residents, is expected to increase by 52% by 2040. Weld County’s population of 268,400 residents is expected to increase by 111% by 2040. CDOT forecasts the number of vehicles making daily trips along the I-25 North corridor will increase by 60 % in 2040.
The project will increase capacity by adding an Express Lane in both directions to be completed by 2022. An Express Lane toll is required for most vehicle usage. The I-25 North Express Lanes will extend to Denver by 2025.
Joining Gov. Hickenlooper and CDOT in the September ceremony were members of the I-25 Coalition, including representatives from Larimer and Weld counties, Berthoud, Fort Collins, Johnstown, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor and the Centerra District.
Construction on the I-25 North Express Lanes will mostly take place between 9 am & 5 pm. Two lanes of travel remain open during the day, but interchange construction may result in detours and impacts, but lane closures will usually be between 9 pm & 5 am, when travel volumes are lower. Northern Colorado commuters can look forward to the project’s completion in 2022.