Douglas County approves RS&H design contract for Titan Road–US 85 interchange

Douglas County commissioners voted July 14 to approve a public contract for services with RS&H for design work on the Titan Road and US 85 interchange (County project CI2026-012).

Ben Pierce, representing public works, told the board the project covers roughly 2 miles of US 85 from Highlands Ranch Parkway to Titan Road and includes a near-term plan to add a third lane in each direction and operational improvements at ramps to reduce backups. "So a little bit about the project location... this is the area of focus for this project... US 85 from Highlands Ranch Parkway down to Titan Road," Pierce said, outlining demand driven by Sterling Ranch, the incoming Zebulon Sports Complex and other development.

Pierce described a phased approach: Task Order 1 covers data collection, subsurface utility engineering, traffic modeling and conceptual design for up to five interchange alternatives (cost just under $2,000,000); Task Order 2 covers preliminary and final design for widening US 85 and related clearances (just over $2,500,000); Task Order 3 (not funded now) would fund final design of interim interchange improvements. Pierce noted the project will require CDOT clearances and NEPA analysis because it impacts a U.S. highway.

Commissioners reserved some technical questions until after public comment but expressed strong support for moving forward. Commissioner Van Winkle moved to approve the RS&H contract; a motion was seconded and the board approved the contract by voice vote. Staff said funding will be drawn from Fund 230 business units (approximately $1,000,000 from Business Unit 80455 and approximately $4,000,000 from Business Unit 801017 for the scope discussed). Pierce said final phasing and funding will be refined during design and NEPA coordination.

The approval authorizes design work and initial project phasing; construction and final funding will be subject to future approvals and required state and federal clearances.