Residents and commuters traveling along 72nd Avenue in Historic Westminster are starting to see visible signs of progress. Crews are actively working to transition overhead utility lines beneath the surface. This initiative is a key early step in the broader corridor improvement plan aimed at enhancing walkability, aesthetic appeal, and reliability. In addition to beautifying the 72nd Avenue corridor, burying overhead utility lines will dramatically improve service reliability during windstorms and summer storms.
The Bigger Picture
The undergrounding work aligns with the City’s 72nd Avenue Corridor Study, which aims to improve multimodal access, walkability, and aesthetics along 72nd Avenue from Pierce to Zuni streets serving schools, businesses, parks, neighborhoods, and the RTD Westminster Station.
The planning process, which began in 2022, implemented resident feedback to promote safety, connectivity, and economic activity by introducing elements like continuous bike lanes, pedestrian-scale improvements, medians, planting zones, and enhanced crossings.
A phased implementation approach allows incremental improvements as funds become available; undergrounding of utility lines is one of the first tangible milestones in the comprehensive vision.
What You’ll See & How It Affects Travel
Expect active utility work for several months including trenching, boring, and crews operating equipment; temporary restoration areas may also be visible.
The primary impact will be lane closures along 72nd Avenue. At this time, full roadway closures are not anticipated. However, this stretch of roadway is already heavily traveled, so motorists should expect periodic delays due to traffic control measures associated with the lane closures. We understand this corridor is congested, and we will work closely with contractors to minimize impacts as much as possible. While construction can be inconvenient, the long-term result will be a cleaner corridor with improved reliability and infrastructure that meets City Code and Standards
What’s Happening Now
Xcel Energy crews started work in October to convert overhead power lines to underground through the Xcel Energy 1% Undergrounding Program. This move is mandated by City code and seeks to beautify the corridor and ensure reliable utility services.
Comcast and Lumen are preparing to follow suit, submitting right-of-way permits to underground their overhead lines in the same stretch.
Google Fiber plans to begin its installation, scheduled to begin in May, under a separate permit, once the utility trenches are in place.
Timeline & Phasing
The current phase launched in October and is expected to continue for another one to two months. Following Xcel’s completion, Comcast and Lumen crews will begin, trailed by Google Fiber’s installation.
Separately, the City is working with Adams County to pave and restripe 72nd Avenue from Federal to Zuni, adding three vehicle lanes as well as bike lanes along the curb. While construction is projected for next year, the timeline is flexible based on final design and funding.