July 3, 2008
SH 82 Maroon Creek Bridge and Bus Lane Projects
Traffic switched onto new bridge next Tuesday
TRAFFIC SWITCH ONTO NEW MAROON CREEK BRIDGE: On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 8, all traffic (east- and westbound) will be directed off of the old structure and onto the new. The reason for the switch is to enable bus lanes contractor Castle Rock Construction to finish the up-valley lanes of the bus lane extension project.
Construction of the new Maroon Creek Bridge is complete, aside from work on lighting and landscaping. An official grand opening, however, will await the completion of the City of Aspen’s new bus lanes in the fall. Once the bus lanes project is finished, crews will stripe the bridge approaches and the entire stretch, from the Aspen Airport Business Center (AABC) into Aspen, will be complete. For more information on Maroon Creek Bridge construction, the public may contact Terry Ostrom, (970) 379-1120 or log on to http://www.dot.state.co.us/marooncreek/index.cfm for detailed information including bridge history.
PROGRESS & UPDATE ON ASPEN BUS LANES: Construction on the new SH 82 bus lanes is progressing on schedule. Castle Rock Construction opened a one-mile stretch of bus lane from the Aspen Airport Business Center (AABC) to Buttermilk (Owl Creek Road) on May 21. The new up-valley traffic configuration now consists of a bus lane, an HOV lane and a general purpose lane from the AABC to just before Harmony Road.
Since the opening of the first phase up-valley from the AABC, the down-valley lanes have taken new shape from the roundabout to Stage Road, including new drainage, curb and gutter and new paving.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS: The new down-valley lanes will be utilized for both east and west traffic while the up-valley lanes are being completed. This work will continue through July and the coming summer months, as will the head-to-head traffic (a single lane in each direction) between Buttermilk and the roundabout. The up-valley bus stop by Truscott will be moved across the old up-valley lanes while the traffic is head to head. The light signal should be utilized to cross safely.
Sections the Buttermilk parking lot are also in the preliminary stages of being re-graded and paved. This work will continue through July. Please keep in mind that there is no parking during these construction activities in either the north or south lots adjacent to SH 82 and Owl Creek Road, and vehicles parked there will be towed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bus Lane construction office, Rick Everist, 970-544-1615 or http://www.dot.state.co.us/sh82/new/currentconst.cfm.
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