US 85 traffic shifts and business access changes coming this week
Left-turn access will be restricted permanently at some driveways and intersections
If you access businesses along US 85 (Santa Fe Drive) in Highlands Ranch, you’ll want to know that left turns will be limited beginning this week.
For safety reasons, business access will change to right-in, right-out only at private driveways and un-signalized intersections between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470 as part of the US 85: Highlands Ranch Parkway to C-470 project. Left turns at Norwood Drive, Carder Court, Brandon Drive and Grace Presbyterian Church will no longer be allowed. These changes are permanent.
Left turns will be allowed at signalized intersections, which includes Blakeland Drive, Town Center Drive and Highlands Ranch Parkway. Additionally, with the completion of the US 85 project, left turns will be allowed off of US 85 into the Spring Gulch Equestrian Area, which will also provide a new access into Grace Presbyterian Church.
The changes will be implemented in phases overnight from Monday, Nov. 14, to Thursday, Nov. 17, starting with northbound US 85. Drivers should expect all access changes to be in place by Friday morning, Nov. 15. Please give yourself extra time and pay extra attention to signage.
In addition, crews will temporarily shift traffic to make room for construction. Drivers should watch for more narrow lanes and pay extra attention.
US 85 overnight lane closures take place from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and daytime working hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daytime lane closures will occur during non-peak travel times. Please watch for crews, slow down, and avoid distracted driving in the work zone.
Access is changing along US 85 between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470 as part of the US 85 project to increase safety and mobility.
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For more information about the upcoming work and to stay updated on construction impacts, please visit our website.
Project Information
This project will widen and reconstruct 2.5 miles of US 85 from Highlands Ranch Parkway to C-470 from four to six lanes. The project also includes the replacement and widening of the existing bridge that carries US 85 over C-470. Major US 85 intersection improvements will occur at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Town Center Drive, Blakeland Drive, the C-470 Interchange ramps and at County Line Road.
Multimodal improvements include bus stop enhancements, a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on the east side of US 85, a below-grade crossing for the C-470 Trail at US 85, a below-grade crossing for the High Line Canal Trail at US 85, and a new pedestrian link from the Wolhurst Senior Community to the C-470 Trail.
Construction activities will require reduced speeds, lane closures, trail detours and various full closures.
This project is Douglas County’s largest transportation project to date. Project partners include the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the Federal Highway Administration, Highlands Ranch Metro District, and Chatfield Basin area developers. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
A safe and accessible multimodal transportation network is one of the Board of County Commissioner’s six core priorities. Read more about the County’s transportation initiatives online.