Work to begin next week on downtown Greeley infrastructure project

GREELEY — Construction will begin July 30 on the City of Greeley’s downtown infrastructure improvement project, the next step in the revitalization program for the city’s core.

The project will replace aging underground pipes, add large stormwater pipes to help reduce flood risk, improve public safety and prepare downtown for future improvements including those related to the new Civic Campus.

Construction crews will start work by installing new utility pipes beneath Seventh Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets.

City spokesperson Kim Kappel said the project’s start was scheduled so it wouldn’t conflict with Big Boy’s traverse through downtown next Wednesday. Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, is crossing the country as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, and residents can view the 1 million-pound locomotive at the 10th Street crossing near the Colorado Railroad Museum from 1:15 to 2 p.m.

The city will close northbound Seventh between Ninth and 10th. Southbound traffic will remain open. Crews usually work from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but sometimes may work overnight. Businesses and sidewalks will stay open during construction.

“Every successful downtown starts with reliable infrastructure,” Adam Prior, deputy director and chief utilities engineer for the city, said in a prepared statement. “Even though much of this work will happen underground, the benefits will last for many decades. We are committed to keeping businesses accessible, sharing updates during construction and making improvements that support a strong and active downtown.”

Downtown stormwater and utility infrastructure replacements are a high priority because the pipes below the streets are old, undersized and the area is susceptible to flooding that damages property and lives, according to the city. Much of the current infrastructure is more than 100 years old and the city says it must replace it before more visual revitalization can take place. 

 The project will improve one mile of stormwater pipe, 1.3 miles of large stormwater box culverts and 2.25 miles of water, sewer and non-potable mains in downtown Greeley. The new stormwater infrastructure will help manage the impact from major storms by reducing flooding.  This project will also fix roads, improve sidewalks and lighting and make it easier for people to get around downtown.

The City of Greeley will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking to formally mark the start of this construction project from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 4 on Seventh Avenue near Ninth Street, next to the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce at 902 Seventh Ave. City leaders will speak briefly and then take part in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Project information, construction updates and detour maps are online at speakupgreeley.com/downtown-infrastructure. 

Share on Facebook on LinkedIn