College and Trilby Intersection Improvements

  • Project typeStreets, Sidewalks and Trails
  • Project value$12-14 million (estimated)
  • Project schedule2024-2026 (estimated construction schedule)
  • Completion DateSeptember 30, 2026
Aerial view of College and Trilby construction in progress

Summary

The City of Fort Collins is starting a major reconstruction of the intersection at U.S. Highway 287 (College Avenue) and Trilby Road. This project follows several years of planning and initial work completed in 2024.

The rebuilt intersection will include:

  • Two left-turn lanes from College Avenue onto Trilby Road
  • Right-turn lanes in all directions
  • A wider Trilby Road approach to College Avenue from both the east and west

As a part of this project the City will also:

  • Install a permanent traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 (College Avenue) and Triangle Drive

These improvements will make the intersection safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists as traffic in the area continues to increase.

A recent City study found several issues at this intersection, including:

  • Frequent rear-end and turning crashes
  • Heavy traffic on College Avenue and growing traffic on Trilby Road
  • Left-turn lanes that are too short to handle current demand
  • Safety and accessibility concerns for people walking and biking

This project also supports the City’s long-term plan to widen Trilby Road to four lanes between Shields Street and Timberline Road.

Project Impacts

Expect lane closures on College Avenue (U.S. Highway 287) and Trilby Road, as well as a full closure of Trilby Road, during construction on this project. Specific closures and impacts will be updated on our Construction and Traffic Impacts webpage during this project's work period.

Beginning in April 2026, limited access to Trilby on the west side of College Avenue/U.S. Highway 287 will become available. See details listed in Traffic Detours below.

Lane Shifts

Beginning Feb. 10, 2026, lanes of travel will be shifted along College Avenue to allow crews to work in the middle of the roadway:

  • Southbound lanes will be shifted onto the west side of College Avenue
  • Northbound lanes will be shifted onto the east side of College Avenue

During these shifts existing detours and all access to businesses will remain unchanged.

Traffic Detours

Traffic traveling on Trilby between Shields Street and Lemay Avenue will have limited access to College/U.S. Highway 287 during this closure.

  • All traffic on Trilby needing to travel east/west across College/U.S. Highway 287 will be detoured to Harmony Road via Shields or Lemay
  • All westbound traffic on Trilby needing to travel north on College/U.S. Highway 287 will detour via Lemay and Harmony to reach College/U.S. Highway 287
  • All westbound traffic on Trilby needing to travel south on College/U.S. Highway 287 will detour via Lemay and Carpenter Road (State Highway 392) to reach U.S Highway 287
  • All eastbound traffic on Trilby needing to travel north on College/U.S. Highway 287 will detour via Shields and Harmony to reach College/U.S. Highway 287
  • All eastbound traffic on Trilby needing to travel south on College/U.S. Highway 287 can turn south onto College with no need to detour
  • Southbound traffic on College/U.S. Highway 287 needing to travel west on Trilby can turn west onto Trilby with no need to detour
  • Southbound traffic on College/U.S. Highway 287 needing to travel east on Trilby should detour via Harmony and Lemay
  • Northbound traffic on College/U.S. Highway 287 needing to travel west on Trilby should detour via 57th Street (Loveland) or Harmony to Shields
  • Northbound traffic on College/U.S. Highway 287 needing to travel east on Trilby should detour via Carpenter Road (State Highway 392)

A temporary traffic signal will be available at the intersection of Triangle Drive and U.S. Highway 287 to facilitate safe access between U.S. Highway 287 and the Ridgewood Hills neighborhood during this closure. That traffic signal will be made permanent before the completion of this project.

Bike Traffic Detours

Construction at the intersection of College Avenue and Trilby Road can't accommodate bicycle traffic along College/U.S. Highway 287 or Trilby.

  • Bike traffic along College should use West Skyway Drive, Constellation Drive, Avondale Road, Strasburg Drive and Triangle Drive during construction.
  • Bike traffic along Trilby should use Constellation Drive and Skyway Drive to connect to Fossil Creek Parkway and Lemay Avenue.

 

A map showing the bicycle detours for college and trilby consruction

Project Timeline

2024: Initial Construction Phase (College and Trilby)

The first construction package was completed during summer 2024, installing a new retaining wall near the southwest corner of College Avenue and Trilby Road. This phase had little to no traffic impacts.

2025-2026: Primary Construction Phases (College and Trilby)

The second phase of construction, completed in early 2026, installed storm sewage infrastructure, water line and sanitary sewage infrastructure, median curbs and a new traffic signal.

The third phase of construction is currently focused on the east side of the roadway, and is expected to be completed in September 2026.

March-September 2026: Signal Construction (College and Triangle)

The City of Fort Collins has contracted HCG Construction to install the following improvements at the intersection of College Avenue and Triangle Drive, roughly half a mile south of the intersection of College and Trilby:

  • New traffic lights
  • New crosswalks
  • Extended embankments on the east side of College Avenue to allow for the future construction of a sidepath for bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

The temporary temporary traffic signal installed at College and Triangle will remain in place until the permanent signal is completed.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2026.

For more information about the signal installation contact HCG Construction at 970-661-2409.

 

For business questions or concerns, contact Michael Bussman, Lead Business Specialist (Economic Health) at 970-416-2307 or mbussmann@fortcollins.gov

 

Location

College and Trilby, Fort Collins, CO   View Map

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