Southbound Shields Street to Close for Two Months Beginning October 20
Fort Collins will close southbound Shields Street between Mountain Avenue and Akin Avenue for nearly two months to complete utility work connected to the city's multi-million dollar effort to address chronic flooding in the downtown corridor.
The closure will begin October 20 and continue through December 10 as crews install stormwater infrastructure for the Oak Street Stormwater Improvements Project. Northbound traffic on Shields will remain open during construction, according to city officials.
Southbound motorists will be detoured at Laporte Avenue to either College Avenue or Taft Hill Road. The closure affects approximately two blocks of the major north-south arterial in the central city.
Major Flood Prevention Project Enters Second Year
The utility work triggering the closure is part of the Oak Street Stormwater Improvements Project, a $39.9 million infrastructure initiative to eliminate flooding that has plagued downtown Fort Collins for decades. Construction began in July 2024 and is scheduled to continue through summer 2025.
The comprehensive project extends from Mason Street to City Park and includes installation of new stormwater pipes, water main replacements, and gas line upgrades. The city identified more than 550 structures in the Old Town basin at risk for flood damages during major storm events, according to Fort Collins budget documents.
The project addresses undersized storm sewers that cannot handle contemporary runoff volumes, causing property damage and transportation disruptions during moderate to large storms. The improvements will include rain gardens at major intersections to filter pollutants before stormwater reaches the Cache la Poudre River.
Fort Collins is funding the Oak Street project through municipal bond proceeds approved by the Stormwater Utility Enterprise Board in October 2023. The bonds will be repaid from the city's dedicated Stormwater Fund, which is supported by monthly utility fees paid by all property owners based on impervious surface area.
Construction Impacts Downtown Traffic Flow
The Shields Street closure marks one of several traffic disruptions as construction crews work through the downtown corridor block by block. The city typically limits full roadway closures to two or three blocks at a time with posted detours for residents and businesses.
The project schedule reflects the city's prioritization of the Oak Street corridor as the first of five major initiatives in the Downtown Stormwater Improvement Program. City planners selected the area based on flood modeling that identified the highest risk to public safety and property damage.
The comprehensive reconstruction includes new curbs, gutters, traffic calming features, and improved pedestrian crossings in addition to underground utility replacements. The project also incorporates upgraded water mains from Grant Avenue to Jackson Avenue and gas main replacements from Meldrum Street to Jackson Avenue.
Fort Collins established its Stormwater Utility Fee in 1980 to fund drainage system operations and capital improvements. The city's Stormwater Master Plan guides project selection and prioritizes areas with the greatest flood risk and opportunities for water quality improvements.
Motorists can check real-time construction updates and alternate routes through the city's FCTrip mapping tool and transportation project pages at fcgov.com.
Contact Jesus Villalobos, Senior Inspector, Compliance, at 970-889-0269 or [email protected] for additional information about the closure.