Full overnight closures of eastbound I-70 near Washington St. for bridge repairs start Tuesday, May 21

May 16, 2019 - Denver Metro Area, Colorado - Closures are scheduled for three nights, May 21 to May 23, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

 

DENVER- As part of a project to repair nine bridges across the Denver Metro area, the Colorado Department of Transportation will work on the eastbound I-70 bridge over Washington St (MP 274.50) this month.  The goal of this project is to repair aging infrastructure, which improves safety for motorists and reduces wear and tear on vehicles and vehicle maintenance costs.

Crews will install hydraulic jacks to lift and replace the bridge bearing components. This work will require the eastbound I-70 bridge to be closed three nights, Tuesday May 21 - Thursday May 23 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.  

Motorists will follow a detour through the area. All lanes will be open by 5 a.m. for the morning commute. To navigate this closure, motorists will follow the suggested detour routes:

  • Eastbound I-70 traffic will be detoured onto the off ramp to bypass the closure and access the highway from the on ramp after Washington St.

  • Northbound Washington St. traffic will follow Brighton Boulevard, continue on 44th St and E 47th Ave

  • Southbound Washington St.  traffic will follow E 47th Ave towards 44th St and Brighton Blvd

  • Semi-trucks headed southbound on Washington St. will be detoured onto westbound I-70, exit at Pecos St., back on eastbound I-70, and reach Washington St. (See detour maps at bottom of release)

The schedule could change depending on weather.

Project Facts

Cost: $1.4 million

Contractor:  Hamilton Construction

Timeline: February - November 2019

Project Background: CDOT and contractor Hamilton Construction are working on minor repairs of nine bridges across Denver Metro area. These bridges have been identified by CDOT engineers as structures that will benefit from maintenance to preserve and extend the lifespan of the bridges.

Work on this project includes repairing bridge bearings, abutment and rail repairs, sandblasting, painting and sealing, slope paving repair and debris removal, anchor bolt and spall repairs, and embankment protection.

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Slow for the Cone Zone – Traveling Tips

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.

  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

  • Watch for workers; drive with caution.

  • Don't cross solid lines when changing lanes.

  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  •  Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so.

  • Be Patient!

Stay Informed

Whole System. Whole Safety.  

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.

About CDOT

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.