U.S. 34 will be widened west of Greeley’s 71st Ave.

GREELEY — The city of Greeley will soon have better access to Interstate 25, as U.S. Highway 34 bypass is set to undergo construction west of the city next year.
U.S. Highway 34, which runs from Interstate 76 through Greeley to I-25, and then west into the mountains, is made up of two-lane and four-lane sections. One of the two-lane sections, which extends 4.2 miles west of Greeley’s 71st Avenue, will be converted to four lanes in 1996.
The construction is essential for Greeley’s economic development, said Lyle Butler, president of the Greeley/Weld Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re the only city in Colorado not connected to an interstate by a four-lane highway,” Butler said. “This has prevented us from getting businesses to Greeley. Specifically, I’m talking about warehouse-type businesses.”
Butler said the city’s long-term goal is to make U.S. Highway 34 four lanes from I-76 to I-25, and the bypass project is the cheapest place to start.
“The basic engineering designs are done, and the right-of-way property was purchased a long time ago,” he said.
Widening the stretch to four lanes and creating a grade-separated interchange at Colorado Highway 257 will cost approximately $8 million, said Bill Sterling, director of public works for Greeley.
“Technically, this project is ready to go,” Sterling said. “It will improve opportunities for citizens and for economic and business development.”
Butler explained that while the bypass project is the highest priority on Greeley’s to-do list, better access to Denver International Airport, and improvement of U.S. Highway 85 rank close behind.