CDOT begins passing lane installation on CO 71 between Limon and Brush on Monday

Travel Advisory

August 5, 2022 - Northeastern Colorado - Work will primarily consist of adding a passing lane in three locations along the roadway

Lincoln and Washington Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin passing lane construction work on Monday, Aug. 8. Work will take place along Colorado Highway 71, between Limon and Brush.

This project consists of constructing passing lanes in three sections along CO 71 from MP 111 to MP 152. Work will include asphalt paving, erosion control, seeding, installation of new signage, and new striping. IHC Scott, of Englewood, is the contractor for this project.

“This is the first of several safety projects planned along this corridor in our 10-year plan of projects,” said Region Transportation Director Heather Paddock. “This is an important area and we want to keep freight and other vehicles safe.”

This section of roadway will be part of the Heartland Expressway Corridor, a priority route for the Ports to Plains Alliance. This route connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Canadian border. Improvement of this roadway will allow for a more efficient flow of traffic. Additionally, truckers will be encouraged to use this roadway instead of Interstate 25. This will result in less traffic along Interstate 25. The project will improve and prolong the life of the road surface.

Work will primarily consist of adding a passing lane in three locations along the roadway. At site one, a northbound passing lane will be added. At site two, both northbound and southbound passing lanes will be added. At site three, a southbound passing lane will be added. Passing lanes significantly improve the flow of traffic, as well as the safety of the roadway.

map of the passing lane installation on CO 71 between Limon and Brush

Work Description

This project consists of constructing passing lanes in three sections along CO 71 from MP 111 to MP 152. Work will include asphalt paving, erosion control, seeding, installation of new signage, and new striping. Site one and two are complete. Site three is the only section that remains to be completed. Site three is expected to be completed by the end of November 2023.

Project Benefits

This section of roadway will be part of the Heartland Expressway Corridor, a priority route for the Ports to Plains Alliance. This route connects the Gulf of Mexico with the
Canadian border. Improvement of this roadway will allow for a more efficient flow of traffic. Additionally, truckers will be encouraged to use this roadway instead of Interstate 25. This will result in less traffic along Interstate 25. The project will
improve and prolong the life of the road surface.

Work Schedule

  • Daytime work hours
    • May and August
    • 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • The project is expected to be completed end of November 2023.

Travel Impacts

  • Daytime work hours range from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vehicles may be reduced to single-lane, alternating traffic intermittently in either direction,
    throughout the duration of the project. These lane closures, guided by flaggers and pilot cars, may have up to 15-minute delays.
  • Speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph through the work zone
  • There will be 12 foot width restrictions in place.

Project Contact Information

For additional information about this project, contact the project team.

Know Before You Go

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:

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!

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