Rumble strip work starts in northeast Colorado on April 8

Project Update

March 20, 2024 - Northeastern Colorado - 176 miles on six highways will get these safety improvements

Northeast Colorado — The Colorado Department of Transportation will be adding pavement markings, edge line and centerline rumble strips along sections of six highways in northeast Colorado starting April 8 and continue to the middle of May.

A total of 176 miles of roadway will be improved with the installation of pavement markings, edge line and centerline rumble strips along segments of the following highways: Colorado Highways 93, 52 and 7; and US Highways 34, 40 and 287. Affected counties include Boulder, Cheyenne, Larimer, Morgan, Washington, Weld and Yuma.

Beginning on April 8, construction will start on US 40 at MP 446 moving east to MP 487 in Cheyenne County.

“We have seen impressive safety results from using rumble strips nationwide,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Heather Paddock, noting nationally a 36 percent reduction in fatal and injury crashes from vehicles leaving the roadway for edge rumble strips and a 44 percent reduction in head-on crashes with centerline rumble strips. “We are excited to get this much needed work expanded to other areas of the region and appreciate the public’s patience for the brief times crews will be affecting your drive while this mobile work is being done.”

Crews will install edge line and centerline rumble strips and restripe existing center and edge lines along sections of US 34 from MP 125 to 150 in Weld and Morgan counties, and from MP 174.5 to 260 in Weld, Washington and Yuma counties to the Kansas state line. In Boulder County work takes place on CO 93 on MP 12 to 14 then moves to US 287 from MP 308 to 325 into Larimer County (not all segments will receive new rumble strips). Crews then work on CO 52 (Mineral Road) from MP 0.15 to 7 in Boulder County. Lastly, CO 7 receives new rumble strips between MP 2 and 19 in Boulder and Larimer counties.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of May 2024. Surface Preparation Technologies is the contractor for the project.

Rumble strips are an effective measure for reducing roadway departure crashes. Grooves are cut into the pavement which cause a vibration and rumbling sound when the tires of a moving vehicle come in contact with the cut pavement. The noise and vibration produced by rumble strips alert drivers when they leave the travel lane. Centerline rumble strips reduce head-on collisions and cross-over crashes, while shoulder rumble strips reduce run-off-the-road crashes and warn drivers when they have drifted from their lane.

Travel Impacts

  • Short-duration single lane closures with delays from 5 to 15 minutes
  • No single lane closure will exceed one mile, however motorists may encounter multiple closures along stretches of highway to allow the work convoy to continue while the previous closure is removed for this mobile operation
  • Flaggers may direct and hold traffic causing minor temporary delays
  • No construction is planned for Saturdays or Sundays.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!