PROJECT UPDATE:  Travel impacts begin on CDOT’s I-70 East of Wolcott project

March 31, 2017 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - Project seeks to avoid impacts to peak travel periods/directions

EAGLE COUNTY — Work items for the I-70 Wolcott east resurfacing and safety-improvement project will begin to require lane reductions next week--travel impacts will continue through the project’s completion in November 2017. Next week, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor United Companies will upgrade bridge rail on westbound I-70 structures at Avon and Edwards and conduct prep work for new guardrail installation along westbound lanes along the project limits (from west of Edwards to Avon).

Travel impacts will be encountered at the following locations/times (for lane closure updates each Friday afternoon, please visit https://www.codot.gov/projects/i-70-wolcott-east):

I-70 WB bridge at Avon (MP 166.6) - 7P-7A, Mon-Thur evenings; single-lane reduction on I-70

I-70 WB bridge at Edwards (MP 162.2) - 7P-7A, Tue-Thur evenings; single-lane reduction on I-70

I-70 WB full project limits (MP 159.5-167) - 2A-2P Wed-Thur (and to noon on Fri); WB single-lane reduction on I-70

Avon Road under I-70 - 9A-9P Tue-Thur; Avon Road reduced to a single lane in each direction

Edwards Access Road under I-70 - 9A-9P Wed-Thur; Edwards Road reduced to a single lane in each direction

CDOT and United Companies began mobilizing the project on Monday, March 20. The work will improve the driving surface and safety features on I-70, from west of Edwards to Avon (approximate mile points are 159.5 to 167--see map below--with additional bridge work at 158.8). The project is scheduled for completion in November 2017. The total construction cost of the project is $11.1 million.

The work will include resurfacing a 7.5-mile stretch of distressed pavement within those limits, making bridge rail and deck repairs on nine structures, lining one large deteriorated culvert under I-70, extensively upgrading and replacing guardrail on various sections along each side of the highway for the entire length of the project, and making minor lighting improvements to the wiring at the Edwards interchange.

A LOOK AHEAD AT TRAVEL IMPACTS

NOW THROUGH MAY 15: In general, travel impacts will adhere to CDOT’s lane closure policy for this stretch of I-70, which includes avoidance of any eastbound lane closures in the morning peak travel period and any westbound lane closures in the evening peak travel period.

 

While the lane closure restrictions vary by I-70 location, here is a general overview of what motorists can expect:

  • Avon east (approx. MP 166.5 to 167):  No eastbound lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; no westbound lane closures from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

  • Edwards to Avon (approx. MP 162.5 to 166.5):  No eastbound lane closures from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and no westbound lane closures from  2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

  • West of Edwards (approx. MP 158.5 to 162.5):  No westbound lane closures between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.  

MAY 16 THROUGH SUMMER: Starting May 16 and extending through the summer months, there will be limited daytime lane closures on I-70 in either direction, again with the intent to avoid the highest peak travel periods; and more work will be conducted at night. More daytime lane closures will occur again in the fall, until the project’s completion in November.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Those interested in staying up to date on the project, lane closures and work schedule can do so by visiting the project web site at bit.ly/i-70-wolcott-east. The site includes contact information and instructions for signing up to receive project updates (choose “I-70 Wolcott East” under the Project’s menu upon signing up for updates). The public information line is (970) 471-8713.

For information on travel conditions across the state, visit COTrip.org, sign up for GovDelivery, or call 511. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and CDOT’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/coloradodot.