Fort Collins road construction projects that will impact 2026 travel
Jan. 1, 2026, 5:02 a.m. MT
- Improvements at the College Avenue and Trilby Road intersection are expected to finish by the end of May.
- A new “Michigan left” turn will be added at the Timberline, Lincoln, and Mulberry intersection starting in the spring.
- Other projects include adding a pedestrian signal on Prospect Road and new bike lanes on Shields Street.
We’ve all dealt with the headaches of road construction.
Fort Collins and Northern Colorado aren’t immune to the woes, and a number of projects in 2026 will bring drivers more pain before they get better.
Here are some of the major road construction projects in Fort Collins that will impact traffic in 2026, according to the city.
College Avenue and Trilby Road intersection
- Expected completion: May 31
- Cost: $12-$14 million
- Project: Two left-turn lanes from College Avenue onto Trilby Road, right-turn lanes in all directions and wider Trilby Road approach to College Avenue from east and west. Project supports the city’s long-term plan to widen Trilby Road to four lanes between Shields Street and Timberline Road, according to the city.
- Detour: Traffic traveling on Trilby Road between Shields Street and Lemay Avenue have no access to College Avenue (U.S. Highway 287) during the closure. See detour options here.
- Information: Click here.
Timberline Road, Lincoln Avenue, Mulberry Road intersection
- Project start date: Scheduled to begin in spring of 2026.
- Cost: Estimated at $1.8 million.
- Project: Add a new “Michigan left” turn requiring northbound Timberline Road drivers to go past Lincoln Avenue, make a U-turn at a marked turnaround and then turn right to head west on Lincoln Avenue. Add a “channelized T” median on eastbound Lincoln Avenue to help drivers safely turn left onto northbound Timberline Road. Add two left-turn lanes from southbound Timberline Road onto eastbound Mulberry Road, according to the city.
- Information: Click here.
Mountain Vista Drive full closure
- Expected completion: April 30
- Project: Replacement of concrete culvert beneath the road.
- Detours: Use Turnberry Road, Richard’s Lake Road or Giddings Road.
- Information: Click here.
Prospect Road and Prospect Lane crossing
- Expected completion: Dec. 31, 2026
- Project: Adding a new half signal (pedestrian-activated crossing signal that stops traffic to allow safe crossing of Prospect Road) at Prospect Road and Prospect Lane. Right-turn-in and right-turn-out only for vehicles on Prospect Lane. Removal of three parking spaces on Prospect Lane to make room for the new design, according to the city.
- Information: Click here.
Oak Street stormwater
- Overview: The Oak Street project is part of the Downtown Stormwater Improvement Program to resolve flooding issues in downtown Fort Collins. The project extends from Mason Street to City Park and began at Mason Street in July 2024, according to the city.
- Expected completion: Dec. 31, 2026
- 2026 impacts: Washington Avenue and Mountain Avenue, Mack Avenue and Mountain Avenue, Oak Street between Mack Avenue and Shields Street and Jackson Street from Oak Street to Mountain Avenue through April. Oak Street from east of Shields Street to Jackson Street early 2026.
- Information: Click here.
Shields Street bike lanes
- Expected completion: Aug. 31, 2026
- Project: Add separated bike lanes on Shields Street between Mountain Avenue and Mulberry Street. Remove one northbound vehicle travel lane on Shields Street, according to the city.
- Information: Click here.