Drivers in Douglas County should be aware of alternate routes and closures amidst the county’s bridge demolition and lane widening project on Santa Fe Drive and Colorado State Highway 470.

“Around-the-clock work, detours and closures” will cause various traffic changes at the interchange of C-470 and Santa Fe in unincorporated Douglas County from March 7 to 13, according to a news release from the county.

During the week-long construction, there will be no C-470 access to or from US 85 and through traffic will be delayed while construction crews work to demolish the Santa Fe bridge overhead. Santa Fe will also be completely closed between County Line Road and Blakeland Drive in Highlands Ranch.

Those traveling east or west on C-470 should be prepared for significant delays during peak travel times and those traveling north and south on Santa Fe should take alternate routes, according to the release.

The construction will be the next stage of the US 85 Widening Project, an estimated $108 million renovation to the highway between Highlands Ranch Parkway and Dad Clark Gulch. The project will result in the addition of two lanes to the highway, alleviating traffic and making commuting safer, according to the county. 

The bridge being demolished was built in November of 1968, crossing US 85 over C-470. It will now be demolished so the county can finish the second half of the new bridge.

“We recognize this impact on our traveling public is significant – both locally and throughout the region,” Janet Herman, director of Public Works for Douglas County said in the release. “Your patience now will result in a bridge that meets modern safety standards and, ultimately, a safer and more efficient US 85 corridor.”