Westbound I-76 reduced to one lane at US 85 starting next week
Motorists should expect nightly lane closures while the highway is re-striped and barrier wall is placed to accommodate the temporary lane reduction from two lanes down to one.
Within the next few weeks, the following additional lane closures will go into effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Westbound I-76 between US 85 and 96th Avenue: Three lanes will be reduced to two lanes with only one direct lane from westbound I-76 and only one direct lane from US 85.
- Eastbound I-76 between 96th Avenue and US 85: Three lanes will be reduced to two lanes with US 85 temporarily restriped as an exit. Two eastbound I-76 through lanes will continue east of US 85.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Villalobos Concrete Inc., will be constructing this safety improvement project for the next year.
After the lane closures are in place, crews will begin Phase 1, which places detour pavement adjacent to the inside lanes of I-76. Detour pavement is also necessary along the east side of US 85. Traffic will then shift onto the detour pavement so permanent construction can begin on the outside lanes of I-76 and US 85. Future project phases will require additional traffic shifts.
Temporary barrier wall will separate motorists from adjacent construction activities. During construction, the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph and fines will be doubled. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet through the work zone. An oversized vehicle width restriction of 15 feet will be strictly enforced. Concrete barrier wall will physically constrain the width of the highway. All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.
This project will improve the geometry of the westbound I-76 curve where the interstate joins southbound US 85. This transition area will be upgraded to current design standards to improve safety and traffic flow. An additional travel lane from southbound US 85 to 96th Avenue will be built with the project.
Portions of I-76 will also be replaced with new concrete pavement. Additional project features include improved roadway drainage, lighting and water quality measures.
Construction will continue through the winter with an anticipated completion in early 2018. This $10 million improvement project is partially funded by FASTER Safety funds.
In late October, crews will temporarily close eastbound I-76 east of 96th Avenue to all traffic overnight, for one to two nights, in order to remove an overhead sign structure. All eastbound motorists will be detoured off I-76 at 96th Avenue (exit 11). Closure dates and detour route information will be posted on the project website.
Additional information is available by calling the project information line at 720-296-0110, sending an email to[email protected] or visiting the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/i-76-at
