CDOT Announces 2013 Summer Construction Projects for Northeast Colorado

April 19, 2013 - Northeast Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has officially kicked off the 2013 construction season in the northeast section of the state.

Altogether, nearly 200 miles of highway and more than 24 bridges will be under construction, with costs totaling more than $130 million, in Boulder, Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties. The construction work will not include routine CDOT maintenance projects, which are also underway on a daily basis.

“We’re making significant headway on improvements to our highway infrastructure by focusing our limited financial resources strategically on top priority areas in order to enhance northern Colorado’s highway system,” said CDOT Regional Director Johnny Olson. “We thank the traveling public for their patience ahead of time, and remind motorists to drive Slow for the Cone Zone, as our employees have families of their own who depend on them.”
Major construction projects in northeast Colorado are listed below, and a full list of projects in northeast Colorado is both attached and available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/assets/ne-traffic-watchers-2013
Major construction projects that are either currently underway or will begin soon include:
I-76 Brush to Fort Morgan Reconstruction: The $37.6 million project will reconstruct I-76 in both directions from mile marker (MM) 84.9 to MM 91.1. Crews will replace/build/rehabilitate 13 bridges and one box culvert, create two diamond interchanges at State Highway (SH) 71 and at Dodd Road, and will update on- and off-ramps. By improving the existing infrastructure, crews will increase safety through the corridor and will also be making drainage improvements to the area surrounding the interstate. This project is the first Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships (RAMP) project in northeast Colorado. The RAMP program is a way CDOT is changing how it budgets for and spends funds on transportation projects. By funding this multi-year project based on year of expenditure, rather than saving for the full amount of the project before it started, the RAMP program helped move this project forward three to five years after it had been shelved for more than 10 years. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/i76brushreconstruction
State Highway 7/Cherryvale Project in Boulder: Project will improve the safety and operation of SH 7 from Cherryvale Road to 75th Street (roughly two miles), will add new features for pedestrians, and will widen structures for the railroad bridge near 75th Street. The $18 million project began in January 2012 and is expected to be complete in summer 2014. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/sh7cherryvale
I-76 Sedgwick to Nebraska Resurfacing: Resurfacing and erosion control project will include guardrail, curb and gutter, sidewalk, signage, drainage, and striping improvements from mile marker (MM) 165 to MM 175. Also will include drainage improvements and resurfacing on 1st Street in downtown Julesburg, and accommodations for wider turns for truckers at the Julesburg rest area roundabout as well as the off- and on-ramps to and from I-76 into Julesburg. The $13.9 million project ($300,000 of which was contributed by the town of Julesburg) is scheduled for completion in November 2013.
US 85 bypass in Greeley: The project will reconstruct the US 85 bypass from US 34 to 5th Street. So far, old concrete pavement has been removed and replaced, traffic signals have been replaced at 5th and 16th Streets, and railroad tracks were removed at 16th Street allowing for intersection upgrades. This summer, bridge decks will be replaced at the twin bridges at the Poudre River. The $12.4 million project began in June 2012 and scheduled for completion in August 2013. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/us85us34bypass
I-70 Resurfacing West of Flagler: Project will recycle the existing asphalt from mile marker (MM) 373.1 to MM 395.1 east of Limon, and will replace it with 2.5 inches of new asphalt; doing so will increase the lifespan of the highway and create a smoother surface for motorists. The $8.5 million project will last from July to October 2013.
Overall, this summer’s construction projects will benefit northern Colorado in numerous ways. First of all, resurfacing, chip seal, and rubblization projects will help extend the life of our highways and will create a smoother drive for motorists. Secondly, drainage improvements like erosion control and culvert work will help prevent flooding in areas like the High Park Fire burn zone and other areas where current infrastructure is inadequate for heavy water flows. Finally, bridge, guardrail, median, and other similar improvements to existing infrastructure will help make the roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Altogether, nearly 200 miles of highway and more than 24 bridges will be under construction, with costs totaling more than $130 million, in Boulder, Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties. The construction work will not include routine CDOT maintenance projects, which are also underway on a daily basis.

“We’re making significant headway on improvements to our highway infrastructure by focusing our limited financial resources strategically on top priority areas in order to enhance northern Colorado’s highway system,” said CDOT Regional Director Johnny Olson. “We thank the traveling public for their patience ahead of time, and remind motorists to drive Slow for the Cone Zone, as our employees have families of their own who depend on them.”

Major construction projects in northeast Colorado are listed below, and a full list of projects in northeast Colorado is both attached and available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/assets/ne-traffic-watchers-2013.

Major construction projects that are either currently underway or will begin soon include:

I-76 Brush to Fort Morgan Reconstruction: The $37.6 million project will reconstruct I-76 in both directions from mile marker (MM) 84.9 to MM 91.1. Crews will replace/build/rehabilitate 13 bridges and one box culvert, create two diamond interchanges at State Highway (SH) 71 and at Dodd Road, and will update on- and off-ramps. By improving the existing infrastructure, crews will increase safety through the corridor and will also be making drainage improvements to the area surrounding the interstate. This project is the first Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships (RAMP) project in northeast Colorado. The RAMP program is a way CDOT is changing how it budgets for and spends funds on transportation projects. By funding this multi-year project based on year of expenditure, rather than saving for the full amount of the project before it started, the RAMP program helped move this project forward three to five years after it had been shelved for more than 10 years. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/i76brushreconstruction

State Highway 7/Cherryvale Project in Boulder: Project will improve the safety and operation of SH 7 from Cherryvale Road to 75th Street (roughly two miles), will add new features for pedestrians, and will widen structures for the railroad bridge near 75th Street. The $18 million project began in January 2012 and is expected to be complete in summer 2014. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/sh7cherryvale

I-76 Sedgwick to Nebraska Resurfacing: Resurfacing and erosion control project will include guardrail, curb and gutter, sidewalk, signage, drainage, and striping improvements from mile marker (MM) 165 to MM 175. Also will include drainage improvements and resurfacing on 1st Street in downtown Julesburg, and accommodations for wider turns for truckers at the Julesburg rest area roundabout as well as the off- and on-ramps to and from I-76 into Julesburg. The $13.9 million project ($300,000 of which was contributed by the town of Julesburg) is scheduled for completion in November 2013.

US 85 bypass in Greeley: The project will reconstruct the US 85 bypass from US 34 to 5th Street. So far, old concrete pavement has been removed and replaced, traffic signals have been replaced at 5th and 16th Streets, and railroad tracks were removed at 16th Street allowing for intersection upgrades. This summer, bridge decks will be replaced at the twin bridges at the Poudre River. The $12.4 million project began in June 2012 and scheduled for completion in August 2013. Project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/us85us34bypass

I-70 Resurfacing West of Flagler: Project will recycle the existing asphalt from mile marker (MM) 373.1 to MM 395.1 east of Limon, and will replace it with 2.5 inches of new asphalt; doing so will increase the lifespan of the highway and create a smoother surface for motorists. The $8.5 million project will last from July to October 2013.

Overall, this summer’s construction projects will benefit northern Colorado in numerous ways. First of all, resurfacing, chip seal, and rubblization projects will help extend the life of our highways and will create a smoother drive for motorists. Secondly, drainage improvements like erosion control and culvert work will help prevent flooding in areas like the High Park Fire burn zone and other areas where current infrastructure is inadequate for heavy water flows. Finally, bridge, guardrail, median, and other similar improvements to existing infrastructure will help make the roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.