Ribbon cutting marks upcoming November opening of new I-70 West Parachute Interchange

October 31, 2012 - Northwest Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - Members of a successful public-private partnership gathered today, October 31, at the site of the new I-70 West Parachute Interchange to mark the quickly approaching November 12 completion date before the weather turns.

The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contractor, SEMA Construction, began work on March 19 to construct the new interchange at approximately MP 72.

Funding for the interchange—which will have a total cost of $12 million—from Environmental Assessment to design and through construction) came from several sources: the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Town of Parachute, Garfield County, Battlement Mesa Company and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Additionally, the gas production companies of Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., and WPX Energy are providing $150,000 per company per year for the calendar years of 2011 and 2012 (yielding a total of $600,000).
The interchange project involves construction of I-70 on- and off-ramps, construction of two roundabouts on the north and south sides of the existing US 6 overpass bridge and an asphalt overlay on US 6. Several safety improvements have also been made, including new guardrail and new wildlife fencing on the north side of the interchange. The configuration of the new interchange is shown in the illustration below.
The existing bridge over I-70 is getting new approach slabs, new rail and curb structures, new guardrails and a waterproofing membrane on the deck. The bridge deck is overlaid with new asphalt, offering enhanced skid resistance, reduced noise levels and a smoother surface. Drainage improvements have also been made.

The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contractor, SEMA Construction, began work on March 19 to construct the new interchange at approximately MP 72.

Funding for the interchange—which will have a total cost of $12 million—from Environmental Assessment to design and through construction) came from several sources: the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Town of Parachute, Garfield County, Battlement Mesa Company and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Additionally, the gas production companies of Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., and WPX Energy are providing $150,000 per company per year for the calendar years of 2011 and 2012 (yielding a total of $600,000).

The interchange project involves construction of I-70 on- and off-ramps, construction of two roundabouts on the north and south sides of the existing US 6 overpass bridge and an asphalt overlay on US 6. Several safety improvements have also been made, including new guardrail and new wildlife fencing on the north side of the interchange. The configuration of the new interchange is shown in the illustration below.

The existing bridge over I-70 is getting new approach slabs, new rail and curb structures, new guardrails and a waterproofing membrane on the deck. The bridge deck is overlaid with new asphalt, offering enhanced skid resistance, reduced noise levels and a smoother surface. Drainage improvements have also been made.

Project Facts

  • Project start date – March 2012
  • Completion date – by November 12, 2012
  • Number of contractors working on the project – 1 prime contractor (Sema Construction) plus 15 subcontractors
  • 298,661 cubic yards of embankment material was needed to construct the new ramps
  • 50,883 tons of aggregate base course (rock material for the asphalt mix) was needed to construct the new ramps and roundabouts
  • 8,994 square yards of concrete was used for the new roundabouts and median islands
  • 1,482 linear feet of culvert pipe was used for drainage improvements
  • 19,312 tons of hot-mix asphalt was used for the ramps and resurfacing of US 6
  • 21.4 acres of seeding and mulching was done to restore disturbed areas
  • 2,270 linear feet of deer fence was installed to improve driver and animal safety
  • 10,100 linear feet of electrical conduit and 32 new light standards were installed

PROJECT INFORMATION: Please call the contractor’s project hotline at (970) 414-0611 or send an email to [email protected] with questions or comments about construction. Traveler impacts are minimal through the project’s completion.