Commerce City is in the process of designing improvements to E. 88th Avenue between I-76 and Highway 2. The first phase of construction is planned to begin spring 2025; this is Segment A and goes from I-76 to the entrance to the Mile High Flea Market and is the first phase of the project. Enhancements include:

• Widening E. 88th Avenue from two to four lanes between I-76 and Rosemary Street, with appropriate turn lanes and medians to increase capacity.
• Adding a traffic signal at the E. 88th Avenue and Mile High Flea Market Entrance intersection and connecting all signals between I-76 and the Mile High Flea Market Entrance to alleviate congestion.
• Access from eastbound E. 88th Avenue to the Flea Market will be provided with a dedicated left-turn lane at the new signalized intersection, which would also allow a protected U-turn movement. There will also be a dynamic east bound lane that automatically changes from a thru lane to a second left turn lane during peak demands at the Flea Market and remains a second thru lane at other times.
• Building sidewalks along the roadway and providing a multi-use path on the north side to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Lighting, drainage, pavement, striping, median, and landscaping enhancements.

The 88th Avenue Improvements project was identified as a priority improvement in the city's adopted Irondale Neighborhood and Infrastructure Plan, with partial funding already identified in the city's five-year Capital Improvements and Preservation Plan (CIPP - details of the plan start on page 245 of the city's budget book). 

Rehabilitate and add safety improvements as needed to 88th Avenue to allow for better and safer traffic flow. This is a multi-year project. The first phase, Segment A, is from I-76 to the entrance to the Mile High Flea Market and is scheduled to begin construction spring of 2025. Overall improvements will include a raised median, curb, gutter, sidewalks, and a new signal to the Mile High Flea Market and a dynamically assigned 2^nd left turn lane that operates during peak demand for the Flea Market and otherwise reverts to a 2^nd through lane at all other times.  The project will widen 88th Avenue to a four-lane arterial from I-76 to the Mile High Flea Market Entrance and will include new sidewalks and drainage improvements.

Segment B & C

Segment B & C are currently unfunded and the City is identifying future funding scenarios to construct these segments as soon as possible.

The environmental analysis and design for this project was completed in 2022. Below is a timeline of the upcoming construction:

• Spring 2025: Utility Relocations begin in advance of the Construction Project.
• Spring 2025: Phase One Construction; Segment A from I-76 to the entrance to the Mile High Flea Market and is expected to be completed fall of 2026.
• Other Segments are awaiting funding.
• Spring 2027 Segment A construction will be completed.

Segment A will maintain the existing lane configuration to minimize impacts and will include 4 phases of construction. The existing exit from the Mile High Flea Market will require all traffic to turn right to eliminate left turn conflicts and smooth traffic flow. Traffic leaving the Flea Market heading Eastbound should consider utilizing the Mile High Flea Market Exit on the I-76 Frontage Road and then proceed left at the Frontage Road/Brighton Road signal.  As the project progresses, motorists can expect new alignments and various lane closures.  The project will include utility relocations and significant drainage improvements. Please refer to the website for project updates and the latest information.

88^th Avenue Environmental Assessment
Appendix A1 Air Quality Memo
Appendix A2 Biological Resources Technical Report
Appendix A3 Community Understanding Report
Appendix A4 Cumulative Effects Technical Report
Appendix A5 Design Options Screening Report
Appendix A6 Hazardous Materials MESA
Appendix A7 Historic Resources Survey
Appendix A8 Historic Properties Effects and Section 4f Analysis
Appendix A9 Noise Technical Report
Appendix A10 Non-historic Section 4f Technical Memorandum
Appendix A11 Traffic Technical Report
Appendix A12 Visual Resources Technical Report
Appendix A13 Water Quality Technical Report 
Appendix A14 Wetlands and other Waters of the US Technical Report
Appendix A15 Archaeo & Paleo Clearances
Appendix B Agency Coordination
Appendix C Public Involvement
Appendix D Preliminary Roadway Plans

Finding of No Significant Impact

For information about the project:
Mike McGoldrick
Project Manager
mmcgoldrick@c3gov.com