What Are the New ‘Interchanges’ Coming to Greeley on Highway 34 at 35th and 47th?

The only constant thing is change, as they say. For decades in Greeley, there have been signal traffic lights at Colorado Highway 34 and 35th Avenue and 47th Avenue; with the start of a new decade, that will change.

What Are the New 'Interchanges' Coming to 35th Ave and 47th Ave in Greeley?

It was on November 10, 2026, that I found out about this project coming to Greeley by 2028: The MERGE project. MERGE stands for Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth and Equity. Whatever they want to name it, I feel it's going to be a real hassle for traffic once the road construction begins.

The City of Greeley, along with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), launched the project in 2015 with the goal of improving safety, mobility, and connectivity along the US 34 corridor while supporting the community's long-term transportation needs. Taking out the existing traffic lights and installing grade-separated interchanges will do that, apparently.

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What is a grade-separated interchange? According to the Texas Department of Transportation, it's a system of interconnecting roadways in conjunction with one or more grade separations that provides for the movement of traffic between two or more roadways or highways on different levels. Picture overpasses and underpasses.

What Else Will They Be Putting in With the MERGE Project in Greeley?

• A Mobility Hub at Centerplace. This will be a central connection location for local transit (buses, etc.), walking, biking, and shared mobility services.
• New pedestrian and bicycle "facilities" will include a pedestrian underpass that will make things safer and more comfortable for walkers and cyclists.
• Upgrades to the infrastructure to help ensure the reliability and long-term performance of the project.

How Much Will MERGE Cost, in the End?

One big question that always comes up with big projects like this is, "What's the cost, and who's paying?" The City of Greeley estimates the MERGE project will cost upwards of $190 million in the end,  with a mix of federal grants, state funding, local matching funds, and federal infrastructure (TIFIA) loans. The City of Greeley is putting in $31 million.

When Does the MERGE Project Begin and When Will it End?

Just the thought of the scope of this project can give not just Greeley-ites the chills, but anyone who uses the Highway 34 corridor through town. The City of Greeley projects that they'll begin work in 2028, with it wrapping up in 2030. Hopefully, that's the case, and it doesn't stretch into more than those two years.