July 14, 2008
I-70 PROJECT UNDERWAY IN DUMONT AREA
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is beginning work this week to upgrade Interstate 70 between U.S. 40/Empire Junction (mile 232) and Fall River Road (mile 238). Improvements include asphalt paving, guardrail replacement and striping.
Initial operations involve new guardrail or concrete barrier installation, requiring eastbound and westbound lane shifts at various locations and a reduced 45 mph speed limit.
Rotomilling and paving operations are scheduled to begin in mid-August.* Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the following days and hours:
Sunday – 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday
Monday through Thursday – 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday
Monday through Thursday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (daytime hours will vary)
Only minor delays are anticipated during night hours. CDOT will closely monitor traffic, especially during day hours, and adjust and/or remove lane closures if long backups develop.
Work zone speed limits will vary between 45 mph and 65 mph – depending on traffic conditions and construction zone requirements. In addition to reduced speed limits, CDOT is reminding motorists that speeding fines are doubled in work zones and, as of July 1, 2008, fine amounts have increased substantially.**
“As with other areas of I-70, this segment experiences high volumes of traffic so a new surface is essential to maintaining the road at its highest service level,” says CDOT Project Engineer Jim Van Dyne. “There will be traffic impacts but we’ll be doing the majority of work at night so that’ll minimize delays. But it needs to be done and this is the only time of year it’s warm enough for major paving at this altitude.”
Asphalt Specialties Co. of Henderson, CO., is the contractor for the $5.1 million project. It is scheduled for completion in September 2008.
Motorists are reminded to please Slow for the Cone Zone, stay alert and pay attention to and obey all work zone/advisory signs and flaggers. Traffic information about this or other CDOT projects is on the cotrip.org website or by calling 511.
* Due to a national asphalt and polymer shortage, CDOT has begun the process of reviewing its 2008 summer highway projects to identify those that may be impacted and what actions should be taken. The asphalt shortage is expected to be short-term but has the potential to affect this project.
**Construction Zone Speeding violations (new fine/surcharge)