June 11,2008
I-70 RECONSTRUCTION IN BURLINGTON STARTS NEXT WEEK
BURLINGTON – A Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) project to reconstruct 2 ˝ miles of Interstate 70 through Burlington is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 16. Work includes new concrete pavement, reconstruction of the Rose Avenue Interchange (Exit 438) and new ramps, bridge rails and curbs and gutters at the Lincoln Street interchange (Exit 437). The project also includes box culvert construction, erosion control, new guardrails, lighting, signing and striping.
Anticipated work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Some work may be scheduled on Saturdays, as necessary.
Initial work will construct median cross-over detours to divert westbound traffic to and from the eastbound lanes, requiring a left lane closure on eastbound and westbound I-70. The speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph in the regular traffic lanes and to 55 mph at the detour cross-over and ramp locations. Detour construction also will be taking place at the Rose Avenue and Lincoln Street interchanges.
When the I-70 detour is completed, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction on eastbound I-70, allowing reconstruction of the westbound lanes. When this phase is completed, anticipated in October, traffic will be restored to its original configuration until April 2009, when both eastbound and westbound is placed on westbound I-70, allowing reconstruction of eastbound I-70. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.
“The reconstruction of the Rose Avenue Interchange will improve safety through that area because we’re building a new overpass, new ramps and removing the numerous columns that parallel the road under I-70, which will improve the sight distances through there,” says CDOT Project Engineer Scott Kimble. “We’re also replacing the old asphalt highway with concrete, greatly improving the road surface and its life span.”
Lawrence Construction Co. of Littleton, CO is the contractor for the $16.8 million project. Lane closure and other information about this project is available by calling (719) 346-5748.
CDOT wants to remind motorists that information about this and other state highway projects is available on the cotrip.org website or by calling 511. Drivers also are asked to please Slow for the Cone Zone, stay alert and pay attention to and obey all work zone/advisory signs and flaggers.