LITTLETON, Colo. (KDVR) — Starting Wednesday, Federal Boulevard will be closed in both directions between Belleview Avenue and Progress Avenue for roughly ten weeks.

The city of Littleton is working to repair a failing culvert and prevent a sinkhole. According to the city, traffic at Federal and Belleview varies between 15,000 and 27,000 vehicles per day.

"It's people's commute to and from work," said driver Jolise Haberl.

"I think a lot of people use it to get south and north without trying to get on the highway. So, I can see it being pretty problematic," said Aiden Matens. 

The issue is an old metal culvert that is failing underneath the roadway.

"As the water goes through, it's starting to erode the roadway with it, so very close to having a roadway failure," said Water Resources Manager Sarah White.

She says the city has experienced 19 sinkholes since May of 2023. Staff inspected other areas and are now trying to prevent other sinkholes.

 "We are trying to get it completed as soon as we can," White said.

Electronic signs are set up around the area warning drivers about the project. The new infrastructure is supposed to be more durable, which could help Littleton in the future, but staff know the project brings challenges.

"It's going to be a difficult one for a few weeks, but bear with us," White said.

If you need more information, check the city's Cone Zone page for updates, available here.