Road and Trail News

Road Report

Despite clearly posted "No Left Turn" signs at 63rd Street southbound through Lookout Road, plus the draping of the left turn signal that says "Out of Service," drivers are still observed regularly turning left at the intersection as construction work for the replacement of water lines continues.

As there have also been posted signs stating, "This intersection is remotely monitored," drivers are encouraged to respect the posted signs, continue south through this intersection and then turn left onto Spine Road following it all the way to Lookout Road past King Soopers, or turning right onto Gunpark Drive off Spine Road and accessing Lookout Road further east.

Another commuting challenge is represented by the closure of the Jay Road Median which began Feb. 28 and will continue until March 10 at 5 a.m. The completion estimate is a few days earlier than originally planned and may reflect CDOT's sensitivity to traffic challenges. Construction crews have been working on both Saturdays and Sundays.

This work is especially affecting the morning and evening commutes. CO 119 southbound traffic backs up from Jay Road past 63rd Street in the morning, making the left turn from 63rd Street to CO 119 a long wait, while the northbound traffic backs up onto the Iris/Diagonal Highway onramp in the evening. The public is asked to use alternate routes, public transportation, or carpooling to help alleviate the congestion.

The detours in place for the Jay Road Median Closure area are as follows (see also the accompanying map):

Motorist Detour

• Westbound Jay Road traffic will travel north on CO 119, exit onto 63rd Street and turn back onto southbound CO 119 to return to westbound Jay Road.

• Eastbound Jay Road traffic will travel south on CO 119, keep right at the Colorado Highway 157 intersection and turn left onto northbound CO 119 to return to Jay Road.

Bike Detour

• Westbound cyclists will turn left onto 57th Street, turn right on Independence Road, turn left onto southbound CO 119, and turn right onto 47th Street to return to Jay Road.

• Eastbound cyclists will turn right onto 47th Street, make a sharp left onto northbound CO 119, turn right onto Independence Road, and left onto 57th Street to return to Jay Road.

Trail News

The new underpass at Four Mile Creek from the LoBo Trail south of Jay Road appears to be open as bikers have been seen accessing it and the barriers are down. Some construction appears ongoing nearby but the connection of the LoBo Trail underneath the CO 119 Diagonal Highway is a long-awaited boon for bikers and pedestrians traveling or commuting to downtown Boulder.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space continues to advise the public that there are many trail closures due to muddy conditions despite the current warm, dry weather. The current closures include both Heil Valley Ranch and Hall Ranch. Overland Loop, Grindstone Quarry, and Schoolhouse Loop at Heil Valley Ranch remain closed, as well as Nelson Loop and Antelope Trail at Hall Ranch.

The Nighthawk and Button Rock Trails at Hall Ranch are now open. Antelope Trail and Nelson Loop remain closed.

Ahead of a lunar eclipse the following week, the public is invited to a star-gazing event entitled “Astronomy: Eclipse This!” at the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain, 15140 North 55th Street, Longmont, on March 7 at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Registration is required and can be done here.