Motorists who regularly traverse Fort Collins are advised to prepare for significant changes as the City of Fort Collins embarks on a substantial infrastructure project slated to begin on July 7. Trilby Road, a well-traversed route, will be entirely closed at the juncture with College Avenue, a key segment of U.S. Highway 287, until Spring 2026. This initiative is part of a concerted effort to upgrade and potentially transform the intersection into a more secure and efficient conduit for not only vehicles but also for those on foot and on two wheels, according to the City of Fort Collins.
With Trilby Road's accessibility to College Avenue being restricted, detours have been arranged for eastbound and westbound traffic. Those needing to cross College/U.S. Highway 287 will be redirected to make use of Harmony Road, via Shields or Lemay. Additionally, adjustments include various detours for traffic intending to journey north or south on College/U.S. Highway 287, rerouting through Lemay and Harmony or Shields and West 57th Street in Loveland, respectively. Motorists navigating these detours should anticipate adjusting their travel plans accordingly.
The closure, which affects the stretch of Trilby Road between Shields Street and Lemay Avenue, is a culmination of several years of planning. Commencing the reinvention of this critical intersection, which saw its initial developments materialize back in 2024. During the construction, though the intersection will be inaccessible, two lanes for northbound and southbound traffic will remain open on College Avenue, ensuring that the artery continues to pulse with the lifeblood of commuters.
This round of construction is poised to introduce a swathe of improvements, including the addition of dual left-turn lanes from College Avenue onto Trilby Road and right-turn lanes branching in every cardinal direction alongside a more substantial approach for Trilby Road that meets College Avenue. These enhancements are anticipated to significantly raise the safety quotient and elevate the efficiency of transit for those ensnared in the tendrils of daily traffic, which refuses to cease its expansion into the umbrage of our urban environment. A temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Triangle Drive and U.S. Highway 287 is also set to be instituted to ensure safe access to the Ridgewood Hills neighborhood during this period of infrastructural evolution.
