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Project Background: As the busiest intersection in Longmont, this intersection experiences unacceptable levels of delay for several movements during the weekday peak morning and evening hours. In particular, the heavy eastbound traffic in the PM peak hour results in excessive queuing west on Ken Pratt Boulevard. Quite often, the queue extends past S. Pratt Parkway. These lengthy queues and heavy congestion have led to an increase in rear-end accidents for eastbound traffic. Additionally, other movements are observed to experience high delays during certain peak hours. The objective of this project is to identify and construct needed improvements to add capacity and improve safety for both the immediate and long-term scenarios.
The Main Street (US 287) and Ken Pratt Blvd. (SH 119) Intersection Improvement project is a local agency project between the City of Longmont and the Colorado Department of Transportation (Region 4). This project is identified in the City's Capital Improvement Program as T-109. Funding for this project will be a combination of CDOT FASTER and City of Longmont funds.
Project Status: Phase I of the design (traffic analysis/alternatives review) is complete and the City is moving forward with Phase II of the design (prepare the final design, plans and specifications for construction of the improvements). Design and right-of-way acquisition for this project is scheduled to occur in 2012/2013. Construction is currently targeted to begin in 2013. Attached is an "Executive Summary" of the traffic analysis study that was completed by the City's design consultants as part of the Phase I design.
If you have questions about this project, please contact Micah Zogorski at (303) 651-8594.
For comparison purposes, the City's consultant prepared a traffic simulation video that depicts the traffic in the PM peak hour. The first clip shows the current traffic in the PM peak hour (note the heavy eastbound and northbound traffic). The second clip is the current traffic volumes with the proposed improvements. As depicted in the video, the proposed improvements provide significant improvements to the overall operation of this intersection, especially for the eastbound through movement. The additional lane capacity for the eastbound direction also allows some adjustment to the signal timing and provide more green time for the southbound left turn movement.
Updated August 22, 2012
Public Works & Natural Resources