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.

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 no 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 will detour via Shields and West 57th Street in Loveland to reach U.S. Highway 287

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: First Construction Phase

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: Final Construction Phase

The second phase will install storm sewer, water line and sanitary sewer, followed by the installation of concrete and asphalt and a new traffic signal. The work will be performed starting on the west half of the intersection (mid-May 2025 through mid February 2026). Phase two also includes constructing utilities and median curbs on College Avenue mid-January through mid-March 2026. The third phase of construction will build the east side of the roadway and will begin in April 2026 through September 2026.

 

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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