Weld County
Department of Public Works
February 2015 Newsletter
Weld County Road 49 Corridor Project
Project Information
Monthly Project Achievements
The Weld County Public Works Department is preparing to
embark on the construction of upgrades to Weld County Road
(WCR) 49, the largest roadway project in its 154-year history. A lot
of progress has been made so far on this project to prepare the
ground for construction. This project involves widening WCR 49
from US Highway 34 to Interstate 76. The existing 20-mile
two-lane asphalt road will be expanded to a five-lane concrete
road with a turn lane in the center. The improvements include
intersection widening for acceleration and deceleration lanes and
overall safety improvements for the traveling public.
Project Area Map
October 2014: Selected Atkins to be
the lead engineering firm.
November 2014: Phase 2 right-of-way
acquisition commenced
November 2014: Public
Communication Plan was developed
November 24, 2014: Request for
qualifications was issued by Weld
County
December 15, 2014: Board of County
Commissioners approved Access
Control Plan
34
Kersey
Evans
34
January 9, 2015: Weld County
announces shortlist of contractors
WCR 39
WCR 38
WCR 49
WCR 44
85
December 22, 2014: Contractors’
qualifications were received by Weld
County
Anticipated Project Milestones
February 2015: Weld County issues
request for proposal
WCR 32
Platteville
WCR 30
Contact Information
WCR 22
WCR 41
subscribe: www.weldgov.com
Fort Lupton
52
website:www.weldgov.com
Keenesburg
email:
49info@weldgov.com
Hudson
Lochbuie
WeldCountyGovernment
@ WeldGov
WeldCountyCO
Weld County Department of Public Works
Weld County Road 49 Corridor Project
Right-of-Way Acquisition
Design Build
Some land and property acquisitions will be required
to accommodate the widening of the roadway. The
right-of-way acquisition process has been divided
into two phases to expedite the process and start
construction sooner. The limits of Phase 1 are from
US Highway 34 to WCR 38. The Phase 1 acquisition
process began in 2014 and is anticipated to continue
through June 2015. The limits of Phase 2 are from
WCR 38 to I-76. The Phase 2 acquisition process
began in November 2014, and is anticipated to
continue through September 2015. For more
information regarding right of way, please refer to
the Property Acquisition and Relocation Process
brochure on our website at www.weldgov.com.
Right-of-Way Acquisition Process Schedule
SEP
AUG
JUL
JUN
MAY
APR
MAR
FEB
2015
JAN
DEC
NOV
OCT
2014
Phase 1
Phase 2
As the county completes the property acquisitions
needed for the project enhancements, new fence
will be installed to delineate the project right of way.
This will establish the new right-of-way accesses and
encroachments onto the roadway to ensure safety
throughout the corridor.
Existing Conditions
WCR 49 at Jim’s Creek
looking north
Weld County hired Atkins, an engineering firm that
specializes in program management, to assist
the county in delivering the Weld County Road 49
Corridor Project. The construction of this project
will be completed using a method known as design
build. This method expedites the project by allowing
the design and construction to occur simultaneously,
therefore leading to time and cost savings for the
county.
Weld County anticipates selecting a design build
contractor in April 2015.
Aerial Surveying
The county surveyed the full 20 miles of the WCR 49
Corridor using a method known as LIDAR. This
process analyzes reflected light from a laser to
measure distance. The county received the survey
information in December 2014, and assembled the
data to be used in the roadway design. The LIDAR
survey method was chosen to expedite the survey
work and limit intrusion on to private properties along
the corridor.
Geotechnical Soil Survey
Weld County contracted Rocky Mountain Group,
Inc., to conduct geotechnical soil surveys along
the project corridor. The surveys provide important
data to ensure proper design and safety of the
roadway foundations and roadway structures. Soil
classifications were completed on December 31,
2014. Final calculations and reports are anticipated
to be completed by March 31, 2015.
Projected Outcome
WCR 49 at Jim’s Creek
looking north
New: Sign up to receive these newsletters at www.weldgov.com