Castle Rock has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with new residential developments transforming the north and east sides of town. This growth has brought numerous traffic challenges and a need for improved/expanded infrastructure.
Fifth Street, a major east-west corridor through the heart of town, has been a particular headache for drivers due to increasing congestion. And it’s poised to get worse, given the 1,200 new housing units near Ridge Road and north of Hwy 86. Many residents have expressed concern that the area’s roads are not set up for that level of housing and traffic.
Traffic congestion and poorly designed roads often increase the risk of collisions. If you’re involved in a crash, an experienced Castle Rock car accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help pursue compensation.
To address these concerns, the Town has included the Fifth Street Widening Project in its long-term Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Addressing Traffic Through Downtown
The Transportation Master Plan forecasts traffic conditions based on approved developments and identifies the roadway projects needed to relieve congestion. Projects are then prioritized annually according to need and available funding, with the most critical improvements incorporated into the Town’s five-year Capital Improvement Program.
While the TMP recognizes that downtown congestion is a major concern, it does not currently include a bypass project near Downtown Castle Rock. Instead, the plan focuses on targeted improvements to key roadways like Fifth Street to keep traffic flowing and to preserve access for residents and visitors.
In addition to the TMP, Castle Rock developed the Downtown Mobility Master Plan in 2018 to specifically address how growth will impact the town center. Key recommendations included a series of intersection upgrades, such as adding roundabouts and redesigning traffic control patterns. These targeted projects aim to improve circulation through the Downtown area without diverting heavy traffic through residential neighborhoods.
The Fifth Street Widening Project
The centerpiece of upcoming improvements is the widening of Fifth Street, which helps connect neighborhoods east of I-25 with Downtown Castle Rock.
According to the Town’s Capital Improvement Program, the project will:
- Expand Fifth Street from two lanes to four lanes in key segments.
- Add dedicated bike lanes to encourage safer multimodal travel.
- Include new or improved sidewalks to enhance pedestrian access.
- Upgrade intersections to improve traffic flow and safety.
Design work is already underway, with construction expected to begin in 2025. Once completed, the project will help ease bottlenecks along the corridor and provide more reliable access for both commuters and Downtown visitors.
Will There Be a Bypass for Downtown Residents and Visitors?
Residents worried about future congestion from large housing developments near Ridge Road and north of Highway 86 have petitioned the city for a bypass to be built around Downtown. Currently, a bypass is not part of the town’s Transportation Master Plan.
Instead, officials are focusing on improvements like Fifth Street widening, intersection redesigns, and multimodal enhancements to manage congestion. These projects are considered more achievable in the near term and will be prioritized alongside other community transportation needs. They also show that the town is taking steps to plan, improve mobility, and ensure that residents can still navigate the community safely — without an increased risk of car accidents.