College/Trilby Intersection Improvements

College/Trilby Intersection Improvements#

After several years of planning and development, the City of Fort Collins is beginning a major reconstruction of the U.S. 287/College Avenue and Trilby Road intersection.

The first construction package has started and involves installing a new retaining wall near the southwest corner of College Ave. and Trilby Ave. Work commenced on April 1, 2024 and should be complete by August 1, 2024 This phase will have little to no traffic impacts.

The second phase involves utilities and subsurface work and is slated to begin in June, concurrent with phase one. This phase will have significant traffic impacts to Trilby Rd and College Ave. in the area adjacent to the intersection and is expected to last 4-5 months.

The final construction phase involves surface and streetscape reconstruction and closely follows the subsurface work. Phase three will see continued traffic impacts and is expected to last 4-5 months.

Background#

Reconstruction of the intersection of Trilby Road and U.S. 287/College Avenue has been a priority for the City as development and traffic continue in Northern Colorado.

The City recently completed an Arterial Intersection Prioritization Study that identified traffic safety and congestion problems at this intersection.

Safety concerns include high frequencies of approach turn and rear-end crashes. Operational concerns include high volumes on north-south legs and increasing volumes on east-west approach legs, often exceeding the capacities of the single left turn lanes given the available green light times. Bicycle and pedestrian safety and accessibility are also concerns at the intersection.

The City’s Master Street Plan also calls for Trilby to eventually be a four-lane arterial road between Shields Street and Timberline Road. This reconstruction would accommodate a future widening of Trilby.

Project Description and Goals#

This project will reconstruct the intersection of U.S. 287/College Avenue and Trilby Road in south Fort Collins.

After construction, the intersection will feature dual left turn lanes from College Avenue to Trilby Road, right turn lanes for each direction of travel, and a widened Trilby Road approach to College Avenue.

The reconstructed intersection will improve safety for current and future traffic levels and growth continues in the region and will create a safer intersection for all users.

November 14, 2023 • Public Meeting#

The City and project partners hosted an open house style public information session about planned improvements to the College/Trilby intersection on November 14. Informational poster boards displayed at the event are provided here for those who could not attend.

Download PDF of Presentation Boards

Above is the current design of the new College/Trilby intersection. Click the image for a larger version.

Schedule#

The College and Trilby intersection will begin construction in early summer of 2024.

- Initial work will focus on retaining wall construction on the southeast side of the intersection.

- Impacts to traffic will be minimal and all thru lanes and left turn lanes will remain open. The northbound College right turn lane onto eastbound Trilby will be frequently closed for construction activities beginning in early April.

Funding#

This project is expected to cost between $12 million and $14 million.

Funding will come from CDOT/FHWA grants, the Transportation Capital Expansion Fee, and contributions from developments.

Past Public Meeting - March 2022#

The City of Fort Collins and Wilson & Co. Engineers and Architects held a virtual neighborhood public meeting for this project on March 3. The presentation shown at the meeting and videos of the meeting are posted below.