# Thornton City Council Update Session - October 13, 2026

Thornton City Council update session, October 13, 2026: E-470 Public Highway Authority Executive Director Joe Donahue briefed the Council on regional transportation activity and capital projects. E-470 reported year-over-year traffic growth of about 5–6% and plans to widen the highway from 104th Avenue to US 85, with work expected to be completed by 2028; widening to the northern terminus at 160th Avenue and I-25 is targeted by the end of the decade. The presentation also covered planned interchange and bridge improvements, including E-470’s contribution to railing upgrades on Thornton’s Washington Street bridge project and its existing agreement with the city on the Quebec bridge. For a service-plaza partnership, E-470 said it invested about $10 million in an approximately $80 million project and program. No contract awards, bids, or procurement approvals were presented to or voted on by Council.

Council discussed the proposed 2027 meeting calendar and related events, including an in-town retreat, a possible police and fire collective-bargaining workshop, and a tentative federal legislative trip. Staff will return with the calendar for formal action at a later meeting. Council also entered executive session for legal advice on speakers’ constitutional rights and public-hearing order, and for discussion of specialized security arrangements for Council chambers. No procurement action was identified in those discussions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Transportation
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Sources
- [Thornton City Council Update Session - October 13, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp2rezlyUMU) - Thornton Video Network