Virtual public engagement begins for Mt. Garfield Culvert Study

News Release

November 2, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado - Community invited to submit comments

MESA COUNTY - The Colorado Department of Transportation invites residents and visitors to participate in virtual public engagement for the Mt. Garfield Culvert Study. The study presents options for safely replacing a culvert next to the popular Mt. Garfield trailhead near the communities of Grand Junction, Clifton and Palisade. The culvert is in need of repair and is located under Interstate 70. Community members, stakeholders, recreationalists, motorists, and others are invited to view study results and submit feedback.

What: A recorded presentation and PDF of slides and notes from the presentation (for users with low data access) are available for viewing. Comments and questions can be submitted.

When: Comments will be received until Nov. 20, 2020. 

Where: https://codot.gov/projects/mtgarfieldculvertstudy
How: Feedback can be submitted via the project website, email, printed comment form or telephone.

Due to current limitations on public events during the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), CDOT is providing virtual opportunities for public engagement. Information about this study is shared and updated on the study website.

Virtual public engagement can include, but is not exclusive to, the following process:

  • Press release announcement for local media

  • Direct mail to adjacent property owners

  • Emails to project stakeholders

  • Public notification on CDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages

All methods will alert the public and stakeholders to the opportunity to review the study details and how to provide feedback. CDOT will document, record and review comments, and comments will be considered during the environmental and final design processes. CDOT encourages public input on all projects. 

STAY INFORMED

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

·         Road conditions and travel information: www.COtrip.org 

·         Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts

·         See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html 

·         Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot

 

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

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.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

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

  • 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.

  • Be patient!

COVID-19 
Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO and practice social distancing, wear face masks, stay at home when possible, and avoid nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. 

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative 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 the safety of 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 inter-regional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.