Drainage, culvert work marks the start of capital improvement project

Published on March 09, 2026

The first phase of improvements to Weld County Road 29 between Weld County Road 74 and Colorado Highway 392 is underway. The Weld County Board of Commissioners approved the temporary closure of the road last week, and it will be in place from March 9 through May 4. Detours can be viewed on Weld County’s Road Advisory Map.

In addition to utility relocations taking place, work during the closure on the three-mile stretch of road west of Eaton will involve replacing 11 cross culverts, extending three culverts, and relocating an irrigation ditch, activities that Weld County Public Works Engineer Erich Green said are critical to completing ahead of plans to pave the road.

“Splitting the project into two phases is important because it allows crucial work to be completed ahead of seasonal irrigation and stormwater runoff,” Green said. “Replacing these culverts, many of which are at two intersections along WCR 29, will make the road more resistant to flooding and damage from moisture in the future.”

TLM Constructors Inc., which has assisted the county with several bridge rehabilitations in the past, will complete this first phase of work after it was awarded the project in January for $651,585.

Paving is likely to take place this summer, though an exact start date and project contractor to complete that work has yet to be determined. There is a possibility the road will reopen after May 4 and then close again once paving starts, though the best option is still being evaluated.

Approximately 686 vehicles travel WCR 29 between WCR 74 and CO 392 daily, according to Weld County Public Works, with about 25% of that traffic attributed to heavy trucks. The two phases of work planned for WCR 29 continue a broader effort to improve it overall. Last year, public works crews completed work on a four-mile section between WCR 74 and Colorado Highway 14.

“This capital improvement project furthers work along the corridor to make it safer today and in the future,” said Scott James, Weld County Commissioner Chair.

In addition to more safely and efficiently moving the traveling public — a goal of all public works road projects — the improvements also make the road a viable detour for future projects, notably a future roundabout at WCR 74 and WCR 31.

“Looking at safety and efficiency of our transportation infrastructure means providing improvements on individual roads but also the detours that will cause the least amount of inconvenience,” said Curtis Hall, Director of Weld County Public Works. “This accomplishes both of those goals.”