49th Street Open at 35th Avenue

49th Street Reopens Following Major Culvert Repair Project

The City of Evans is pleased to announce that 49th Street east of 35th Avenue has been reopened as of February 25th to all traffic following the completion of a significant infrastructure repair project.

Motorists traveling through the area will notice temporary jersey barriers installed along the north and south shoulders of the roadway. These barriers have been placed as a safety precaution. The roadway in this area is poorly lit at night and can be prone to icy conditions during cold weather; the barriers help protect the traveling public while the city prepares to install permanent guardrails in the near future.

Why the Road Was Closed

The roadway was closed for approximately 10 months after a culvert failure beneath 49th Street last April. What initially appeared to be a straightforward repair quickly proved to be far more complex.

Several sensitive underground utilities were located in the immediate vicinity of the failed culvert, which meant the repair work required careful planning and advanced engineering to avoid service disruptions. In addition, crews needed to ensure the new structure would provide long-term durability and reliability.

Another significant factor was the Evans Ditch, whose water decree is conveyed through the culvert under 49th Street. The repair work required the ditch to be completely free of water, but shutting off the ditch was not possible until mid-October when irrigation season ended. The ditch supplies water to residential, industrial, and agricultural users downstream, making it essential that repairs be carefully coordinated with the irrigation schedule.

A Long-Term Investment in Infrastructure

The final design and construction represented a collaborative effort between the City of Evans Engineering and Public Works teams, Kimley-Horn, and Mountain Constructors. The result is a high-quality infrastructure improvement that strengthens a critical roadway connection, ensuring reliable ditch service and will serve the community’s needs for decades to come.

The City of Evans appreciates the patience of residents and travelers during the extended closure and thanks the project partners and staff who worked diligently to complete this complex repair safely and successfully.