Ne Colorado News

Weld County issued the following announcement on Dec. 28.

Collaborative efforts to enhance safety at the intersection of Weld County Road (WCR) 74 and 35 moved forward last week after the Weld County Board of Commissioners entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Eaton to fund a proportional share roundabout project anticipated to be complete in the summer of 2022.

As both the town and county recognized the current need for safety improvements to the intersection, initial discussions about a roundabout occurred in October and November. Eaton officials and the board identified a roundabout as the best method for accomplishing all of the safety needs while also alleviating traffic congestion, as the intersection is expected to be more heavily traveled after the newly constructed Eaton High School opens on the northeast corner.

“As we always do, we work with municipalities to put these projects into place so that it’s a win-win for everyone. It’s a win for the traveling public utilizing WCR 74 and 35 and certainly for those young kids who will be driving to school,” Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman said. “Thanks to Eaton Mayor Scott Moser for bringing tremendous leadership to this project.”

While the majority of the intersection is in Eaton’s jurisdiction, Weld County will fund $1.8 million or 25% of the project to cover the western portion of the intersection, which is in its jurisdiction. Per the agreement, Eaton is responsible for managing the design of the project, acquiring right-of-way, utility relocation and construction of the roundabout.

“This project is a great deal for the town, and I’m excited about this agreement,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner and former mayor of Eaton. “This project is all about safety, and I’m glad we were able to come together with Mayor Moser to deliver these improvements to residents.”

The roundabout project is included in Weld County Government’s 2021 Capital Improvement Plan and is separate from the passage of the WCR 74 Access Control Plan — a collaborative framework, approved earlier this month with Severance and Eaton, to identify safe access locations along the corridor.

Original source can be found here.