New Sections of Mason To Close for MAX Rapid Transit Construction

More construction projects are going to cause closures of some areas of Mason Street this week. The hard work and cooperative weather helped Prospect open early, so let's hope that happens at the construction of MAX Rapid Transit Stations in Old Town near the Campus of Colorado State University.

New Station Construction Underway Through June 2013

Construction crews are shifting to a second wave of station construction at Mulberry and Laurel Streets during the week of April 8. Mason Street will close north of Mulberry and Laurel Street for construction of the Northbound Mulberry and Laurel Stations (see attached map). Southbound Mason Street will remain closed south of Mulberry Street for construction of the Southbound Mulberry Station. Station construction lasts approximately three months. These closures are expected to continue through June 2013.

Mulberry and Laurel Streets will remain open to through traffic and business access will be maintained during closures. Pedestrians will be directed to use the sidewalks on the opposite side of Mason Street. Motorists are advised to use posted detour routes onto College Avenue or Howes Street.

As crews prepare to close new sections of Mason Street, other segments will reopen. Segments of Mason recently closed at Mountain Avenue and Olive Street will reopen as part of the new station construction phase.

Short-term Closure April 10 to 19 - Northbound Mason, Mountain to Oak
Northbound Mason Street will close between Mountain Avenue and Oak Street from Wednesday, April 10 through Friday, April 19, while crews perform concrete repairs on damaged concrete curb, gutter and sidewalks. The Mason and Mountain intersection will remain open to through traffic. Business access will be maintained throughout the closure. Pedestrians will be directed to detour to the west side of Mason Street.

About Station Construction

MAX station construction requires several different phases. During construction, each of these phases is carefully planned to minimize impacts on the surrounding area. Unlike other aspects of the MAX Bus Rapid Transit project, station construction is restricted to a constrained area that typically requires a closure of nearby road and sidewalk for approximately three months. Business access will be maintained throughout the process.

During station construction, a chain link fence encloses the area where crews excavate, lay the foundation, and add structural elements to the new station. Over several months, contractors will return to the station site to complete finish work including masonry, installation of art panels and wind screens, electronic components, and landscaping. As finish work on stations occurs throughout the year, reopened areas may experience additional short-term closures.

MAX is on the Way!

Construction of the MAX Bus Rapid Transit system continues into early 2014, with MAX service beginning in May 2014. MAX, the transit system for the Mason Corridor, will connect Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado State University, Midtown and south Fort Collins, providing many new economic redevelopment opportunities.

MAX offers passengers rail-like convenience at 12 stations and 2 transit centers between Downtown and Harmony Road, with service every 10 minutes and real-time bus arrival information at each station.

For more information about MAX Bus Rapid Transit, visit fcgov.com/maxconstruction or call the MAX construction hotline at 970-416-2617.