Flood recovery repairs scheduled for CO 7  Lower Canyon

Travel Advisory

January 29, 2021 - Northeastern Colorado - Virtual public meeting set for Feb. 10

ALLENSPARK — A virtual public meeting for the final 2013 Flood recovery permanent repair project in the state on Colorado Highway 7 will be Feb. 10.

The canyon sustained significant damage during the 2013 disaster, with nine miles of roadway severely damaged or lost entirely, and debris flows that prevented access for nearly two and a half months. 

An emergency repair project reestablished traffic and operations quickly but did not complete repairs to final grades or restore the highway to appropriate transportation safety standards. This is a $55 million to $60 million 2013 Emergency Relief project that is fully supported by federal emergency relief funds. 

The project team will host a virtual public meeting to let people know the project is starting and explain the scope and schedule. Registration for the meeting is required at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0y20vQWKTZ6QRM3PoreyIg

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021

6 p.m.
Via Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/91426304000

Meeting call in option: (346) 248-7799

Meeting ID: 914 2630 4000

The goals of this project are to maintain access during future flood events, build a safe system accommodating multi-modal transportation options and work in harmony with ecological river functions in the corridor. 

The permanent repair project will: 

  • Resurface and repair approximately 14 miles of roadway

  • Rehabilitate several miles of the St. Vrain Creek disturbed during the emergency repairs

  • Improve multi-modal mobility options along the corridor.

  • Build in resiliency to improve future emergency access during flood events

Daily lane closures are scheduled to begin this August. Following Labor Day, CO 7 will close with scheduled openings (one-way traffic following pilot cars) between the pull off at mile point 23 and the park at MP 29.5 in the mornings and afternoons. This schedule will remain in place through Memorial Day 2022.

 Google satellite image of CO 7 in the mountains

When the closure is in place, only emergency responders and project crews will have access to MP 23-29.5. Everyone else will need to use US Highway 36 or CO 72 to access Estes Park or Allenspark. See graphic below for more details.

Map of CO 7 closures by date and location

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, road maintenance and 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 by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

Stay Informed 

Travelers can obtain information about this closure and construction project by: 

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.

●    Don't change lanes unnecessarily.

●    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!

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.