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Douglas County board approves $4 million CDOT amendment for Broadway–Highlands Ranch Parkway safety project
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement amendment to combine federal HSIP awards and additional funds to advance the Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection safety project, increasing federal participation to $3.6 million (total participation $4.0 million) and moving the project toward construction in early 2027.
Douglas County commissioners on Tuesday approved an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation that increases federal participation in the Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection improvement project.
Benjamin Pierce, the county’s capital improvements project manager (introduced by staff), told the board the amendment combines prior HSIP (Highway Safety Improvement Program) funds with additional off‑system HSIP awards and raises total participation to $4,000,000, including $3,600,000 in federal funds and a $400,000 minimum local match. “The project is really to improve the safety and operations of the Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection,” Pierce said, describing new turn lanes, a third through lane on Highlands Ranch Parkway and a replacement traffic signal and controllers.
Why it matters: County staff said the single left‑turn lane on Broadway regularly backed into general‑purpose lanes, contributing to rear‑end crashes and congestion. The redesign will add a southbound‑to‑eastbound left‑turn lane on Broadway, two eastbound‑to‑northbound left‑turn lanes and a continuous three‑lane section through the intersection to reduce conflict points and improve traffic flow.
Scope and schedule: Pierce said design is at about 90% and the county is focused on acquiring necessary right of way, especially commercial easements on the south side of Highlands Ranch Parkway and some west‑side Broadway parcels. He estimated construction costs at roughly $7.2 million and said the project would be a CDOT local agency project overseen by Douglas County with CDOT concurrence; staff said construction is on track to begin in early 2027.
Funding and approvals: The IGA amendment combines an earlier $1,250,000 HSIP award with a later $2,750,000 award to reach $4,000,000 total participation. Pierce said the additional federal award was competitive and reflects the county’s need and case for safety work on off‑system roads the county owns and maintains.
Board action and comment: A commissioner who moved the approval said the project had been discussed for several years and praised county staff for leveraging federal funding. The board voted to approve the IGA amendment.
Next steps: Staff will continue right‑of‑way acquisitions, finalize utility relocations, secure CDOT clearances and move the project toward advertisement and construction procurement once clearances are granted.
