MERGE Ahead: Improvements Along U.S. 34

Beginning the week of October 19, City of Greeley Water & Sewer crews will conduct work along US 34 in preparation for the MERGE project.

Crews will exercise water valves and collect information about the location and condition of existing infrastructure to support the MERGE design process. This early fieldwork helps the project team understand any potential utility conflicts so they can be addressed during design. This helps reduce surprises during construction that could cause delays and other impacts to the community.

Work Schedule and Locations

* Week of October 19: 35th Avenue and 65th Avenue at US 34

* Week of October 26: 47th Avenue at US 34

Drivers should expect crew presence on the North/South Avenues and temporary lane shifts during work activities. Message boards will be in place to alert travelers.

Please slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and follow all traffic-control signs to help keep everyone safe.

The MERGE project is moving from planning into active project delivery.

Recent progress includes:

• The project team has been assembled, including City Staff, CDOT, and industry partners.
• Design work is underway for major project elements.
• The City has updated the project cost range to support future funding and construction decisions.
• The City is selecting a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) to be involved in the design, preconstruction, and construction phases.

What's Next in 2026

The project team will continue design work and expects to reach 30% design this Fall. They also anticipate completing the draft environmental assessment. With these elements in place, a clearer cost picture will emerge.

Community outreach will also begin in the coming months. Residents will have opportunities to learn more about MERGE and share input as the project moves forward.

Looking Ahead

In 2027, the City plans to advance to final design, complete environmental clearance, and prepare for construction. Construction could begin as early as late 2027.

Public Works staff and MERGE project consultants from Infrastructure Strategies shared an update on the MERGE project during the Aug. 11 City Council work session. The presentation covered recent progress, upcoming project milestones, and budget and financing decisions.

One key milestone discussed is the process to bring a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) onto the project team. Under the CM/GC model, a contractor joins early during the design phase and is able to provide early constructability reviews, cost estimating and scheduling input to improve the design. Presenters stated that this collaborative approach supports a more cost-effective project.

Public Works staff plan on providing updates to Council in October and December of this year as additional milestones are reached.

To watch the council session, go to: https://greeleyco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3352/media. The MERGE presentation starts at 49:36. The updated project schedule is available on this page under Timeline Snapshot.

On Tuesday, May 26, the Public Works team (Bret Naber, Deputy City Manager/Infrastructure; Seth Sorensen, Director of Public Works; Steven Younkin, Deputy Chief Engineer; and Roch Labossiere, Civil Engineer IV) attended a City Council work session to provide an update on the MERGE Interchange Project. They were joined by Benjamin Rowles, Engineer Region 4 with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). To watch the full presentation, visit greeleyco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3361/media.

Project Status Overview

The MERGE Interchange Project is moving forward at a steady pace. The City of Greeley is leading the project. With collaboration from its partners at CDOT, the City is actively coordinating next steps. Here’s a summary of where things stand.

Key Milestone Reached — Federal Grant Agreement

On May 14, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) completed its final review of the RAISE federal grant agreement and confirmed its concurrence. This is a significant step forward — it clears the way for the grant agreement to be formally executed, which will unlock the next phase of the project.

On May 6, the project team also met with the U.S. Department of Transportation, which expressed satisfaction with the City’s draft of the financial model: maximizing grant dollars and minimizing the need for loans.

How the MERGE Project Is Being Funded

The project is being funded through a combination of sources:

• Federal grant funds
• State of Colorado funding through CDOT
• Local City of Greeley funds
• A TIFIA loan (a federal infrastructure loan program) — used only as needed

The City’s goal is to use all available grant funding before tapping into any loan. The U.S. Department of Transportation has reviewed and expressed confidence in this approach.

Design and Environmental Review

Design work is underway, with the team evaluating interchange layout options and how they interact with the required environmental review process (known as NEPA — the National Environmental Policy Act). Current areas of focus include:

• Evaluating interchange configurations and associated costs
• Reviewing noise wall options and other environmental considerations
• Planning access routes for local businesses and residents during construction
• Assessing construction phasing to minimize disruption and cost

A key federal milestone requires the environmental assessment (NEPA) to be completed by June 2027. The City is on track to meet that deadline, which is required to obligate federal grant funds for the construction of the interchange.

Bringing on a Construction Partner (CM/GC Process)

The City is using a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery method, which brings a contractor on board early — during the design phase — to provide real-world construction input and enhance schedule management.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been finalized, with procurement phase beginning Q2–Q3 2026. Contractor selection will be based on qualifications and transparency, not just price.

The City has also contracted independently with Stanton, an experienced independent cost estimator, to review and validate cost estimates throughout the project’s development — providing an important check on the contractor’s figures.

Public Outreach — Coming Soon!

The City is committed to going beyond the minimum public engagement required by the NEPA process. Once the design reaches the 30% mark, the City plans to launch a public outreach effort to share design concepts and gather community feedback — on both the MERGE interchange and the associated transit hub.

Project Schedule at a Glance

• Now through Quarter 3 2026: Finalize design contract; release contractor RFQ and make selection
• Quarter 2 2027: Complete NEPA environmental assessment (federal requirement)
• 2027–2028: Complete final design, right-of-way, and utilities
• End 2027/Early 2028: Anticipated construction start

On Wednesday, November 19, businesses representatives and community members attended public meetings at Greeley West High School to learn about the Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth and Equity (MERGE) project.

Thank you to all participants who took part in sharing information and providing feedback to City staff!

The City of Greeley will hold two public meetings on Tuesday, November 19, to share details about the Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth and Equity (MERGE) project. Both meetings will take place at Greeley West High School, 2401 35^th Avenue.

📍 Greeley West High School — 2401 35^th Avenue
📅 Wednesday, November 19
⏰4:30-5:30 p.m. (Local Businesses); 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Community Members)

City staff and project experts will share timelines, detail planned improvements and provide options for continued community involvement. Attendees will also have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.

On Tuesday, October 21, the Greeley City Council approved a resolution for the City to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on the MERGE Project. This agreement will reimburse CDOT for its oversight efforts during the design and construction phase.

For more information, watch the meeting on the City Meeting Portal.

In 2015, the city first determined the need for a solution to address congestion and safety at two of the busiest intersections in Greeley: 35th and 47th Avenues, at U.S. 34. In the years after, city staff and our partners at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began initial design and community engagement. Work also began to secure funding for this major initiative.

As of the beginning of the year, we officially have the funding we need to begin work. MERGE will be funded through a combination of sources, including:

• Quality of Life funding, secured by Greeley voters in 2018
• Over $50 million in federal grants
• Low-interest federal financing, approved by Greeley voters in 2024.

In March, the city issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select an engineering consultant team for the project. Statement of Qualifications are due by April 3. Once received, the City of Greeley Public Works & Transportation Department plans to select a consultant in mid-April. (The selection team will be composed of City of Greeley and CDOT staff.)

After a consultant is selected, work will immediately begin to finalize the project's design.