Information for Residents

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program

The city's Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program aims to respond to resident concerns regarding speeding and cut-through traffic on residential (local and collector) streets and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods using a set of traffic calming strategies.

Strategies range from enforcement and educational actions to a more comprehensive physical infrastructure approach.

Traffic calming tools include permanent speed radar signs, speed cushions, mini roundabouts, full intersection closures, and others, and are applied based on the local roadway and land use context and specific project need.

The primary focus of the program is to verify eligible projects that are well supported by the community and that properly address identified safety criteria.

Curb Cut/Driveway Requests

If you want to put in a new driveway (curb cut) for your property, contact the Engineer on Call (EOC) at 303.739.7575 for general review of code requirements like type of street accessing with request (local ok proceed further, collector or arterial not likely to be allowed); general sight distance considerations; etc. The EOC will get more detailed information including contact information and refer to the Traffic Engineering Department if further review is required. Traffic Engineering staff will contact the resident regarding their request within two weeks or less. Permits and other documents are also likely to be required for installations of this type.

Information for Contractors and Developers

Traffic Control Plans

A traffic control plan (TCP) is a technical diagram with information about how to occupy the public right of way. The regulations for traffic control plans are set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the city of Aurora specifications. There are many private companies who design and implement traffic control plans in the city of Aurora.

Any traffic work zone that impacts the public right of way (including streets, sidewalks or alleys) in the city of Aurora requires a TCP as part of the permit application.

Traffic work zones on private roads require review and approval from the owner(s) and/or developer(s) of the road, not the city of Aurora.

Traffic Work Zone Classification

All traffic work zones within the city of Aurora are classified as either High Impact or Low Impact. Work zone classification is typically determined as follows:

• 50% or more reduction in lane capacity in one direction on an arterial or collector street (or local roads that function as arterial) = High Impact Work Zone
• Less than 50% reduction in lane capacity in one direction = Low Impact Work Zone

Important: The city may reclassify a work zone based on factors such as roadway type, traffic volumes, duration, proximity to intersections, or other criteria. 

Work Zone Traffic Impact Hours

Standard traffic impact hours on arterial and collector streets are restricted to Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (MST), unless written justification is provided and approved by the city of Aurora. Daily fees double for hours worked outside of standard hours.

Standard traffic impact hours on local streets are restricted to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MST).

High Impact Work Zones

High impact work zones can include, but are not limited to:

• Lane closures resulting in reduction in vehicle capacity greater than 50%
• Proximity to intersections, access drives and rail lines
• Locations with higher multi-modal movements
• Other special circumstances

The contractor shall submit Traffic Control Plans as well as completed High Impact Work Zone Checklist (link coming soon) to the city through the Public Improvement Permit Application process for the city's review as soon as possible or a minimum of four weeks in advance of construction. For high impact work zones, TCPs must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned closure.

Please note:

• High Impact work zones require additional review time.
• Full road closures are not permitted unless written and reasonable justification is provided and approved by the city of Aurora.
• TCPs and the High Impact Work Zone Checklist must be submitted a minimum of three weeks prior to the planned start date.
• Changes to dates, duration or scope after approval should be communicated immediately to the city of Aurora traffic control group.

Variable Message Board/Variable Message Sign (VMB/VMS) Requirements

All work zones on arterial roadways (please see Street Map for street classification information) with traffic impacts lasting longer than five consecutive days must place a VMB or VMS a week in advance.