CDOT Region 4, the Regional Transit District (RTD), Boulder County and local agencies prioritized improvements on Colorado Highway 119 (CO 119) from Boulder to Longmont as an important step to improve mobility for this fast-growing area of Colorado and its communities along the corridor. With this project, CDOT is building multi-agency consensus around the creation of a long-term vision for this quickly changing and diverse transportation corridor. The project goals for the project are:

• Maintain and improve safety for all travel modes.
• Maximize intersection operational efficiency.
• Maximize corridor-wide operational efficiency.
• Maximize person throughput for all modes.
• Minimize transit travel time and maximize ridership.

Previous planning in the corridor included a Planning Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study and a Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study by RTD, and a concept bikeway design completed by Muller for CDOT. This project takes the next step in the process to develop an ultimate corridor concept and recommend interim improvements that meet the initial $80M project budget. Preliminary design and initial grant funding pursuits are underway for this project. The Muller team’s design of the initial project will incorporate a multi-modal package for roadways, trails and transit improvements integrated along the corridor for beginning construction in late 2023 or early 2024. It also includes the design of ITS infrastructure and technology deployment through the limits of the project.

In addition to design, Muller’s project management priority is clear and consistent communication between all agencies. With design at its early stages, our team has set up a comprehensive meeting approach, stressing thoughtful agenda preparation, strong documentation, and close coordination between project partners including RTD, Boulder County, and CDOT. This early emphasis on coordination and partnership has already shown benefit to the project and will continue to be a priority for the Muller team.

Once consensus is achieved for the concept plan, the Muller team will develop an ultimate design utilizing a value engineering review to identify cost saving innovations during the design phase. This work includes evaluating resources within the ultimate footprint to provide the most flexibility for CDOT with future improvements and funding pursuits.

Once an interim project is determined within the initial funding limits, the team will determine the appropriate a NEPA process, currently anticipated to be a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion to assess impacts and mitigation. Then, the Muller team will evaluate the packaging, phasing, and implementation of the corridor. We will prioritize options based on project goals and a funding strategy that sets up the corridor for future grant pursuits.