October 31, 2007
SH 133 ENTRANCE TO CARBONDALE PROJECT BEGINS
GARFIELD COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin major reconstruction of the SH 133 Entrance to Carbondale on Monday November 5, 2007.
This project includes widening of the SH 133 bridge over the Roaring Fork River to 4 lanes (currently 2 lanes); adding a second turn lane on westbound SH 82 (down-valley) at the intersection with SH 133; replacing a traffic signal at this intersection; constructing a retaining wall at the bridge widening; and drainage improvements.
Work on this project will proceed in several phases. The first phase beginning this fall includes installing temporary excavation shoring and constructing the bridge pier foundations and abutments. This work is scheduled while the water level of the Roaring Fork River is seasonally low, and to avoid the spawning seasons of various trout species in the river. This phase will begin on November 5 and will proceed through December.
The remaining phases of the project will resume in March of 2008. Work next year will include constructing the new bridge deck for the bridge widening; placing traffic on the new structure and then removing and reconstructing the existing bridge deck; and tying the two structures (new and old bridges) together with a raised median. The drainage improvements will begin in the spring and the SH 82 signal and turn-lane work will be done in the fall of 2008, after the bridge construction is complete.
Traffic impacts are anticipated to be minimal for a majority of the project. The current two-lane traffic configuration (one lane each direction) at the SH 133 Roaring Fork River bridge will be maintained throughout the project with minor lane shifts at the approaches to the bridge. Crews will not interfere with traffic during weekday peak traffic periods on SH 82 and SH 133.
CDOT has contracted this project to SEMA Construction, Inc. of Centennial, Colorado for $4.64 million.