City officials in Loveland, Colorado, had an opportunity to transform a rural, two-lane highway into a primary community gateway. Olsson helped ensure the opportunity was not missed.

We assisted Loveland with the creation of the Highway 402 Master Corridor Plan. The 257-page document provides a holistic, long-range blueprint for enhanced transportation infrastructure, improved traffic safety, wise land development, and preservation of the natural environment that characterizes the area.

In Loveland, the need for a corridor plan became more pressing with construction of a new interchange at the intersection of Colorado State Highway 402 and Interstate 25. Planning officials anticipated increased development pressure on the corridor because of the new interchange, and they wanted to help guide the development.

Loveland officials also wanted the public to have a strong say in the plan’s development.

Our first step was to gather data on demographics, markets, economics, and growth projections for the area. We studied Loveland’s comprehensive plan to better understand how the corridor fit within the city’s larger growth strategy.

Next, we held public stakeholder meetings and a four-day design charrette to air conflicts, explore alternatives, and identify solutions.

We then narrowed and refined the concepts in the plan. The vision called for an aesthetically pleasing gateway with a mix of market-supported land uses. The roadway and surrounding corridor will be safe and accommodating to pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, commercial traffic, transit, and emerging modes of transportation. Finally, the corridor’s open viewsheds and proximity to the Big Thompson River are assets that will be protected and incorporated as the corridor develops.

The final plan document provided recommendations on land use, development and redevelopment, transportation, utilities, aesthetics, and quality of life.