I-70 Wildlife Safety Fencing Improvements from Rifle to De Beque

Work this Week
September 9-13

  • Expect east and westbound shoulder closures on I-70 from Rulison to West Rifle (MP 65-67) to install maintenance gates.
  • Expect eastbound shoulder closures on I-70 from Rulison to West Rifle (MP 76-81) to install maintenance gates.
  • View Project Update Flyers here

Project Facts

  • Cost: $4.6 million
  • Contractor: Ideal Fencing
  • Timeline: October 2018 - November 2020
  • Location: On I-70 between Rifle and De Beque (Mesa and Garfield counties)

From October 2018 to November 2020, crews on this project will repair and install wildlife fencing along a 23-mile stretch of I-70 from Rifle to De Beque. This work will help reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions.

Specific work includes:

  • repairing 19 miles of fencing;
  • adding about 26 miles of fencing; and
  • installing eight deer guards and 45 game ramps.

Sloped, deep ramps will be located along natural migration pathways for deer and wild game, giving them safe escape paths from the interstate. The steep drop-off on the other side of the ramp deters them from entering the interstate at those locations.


Schedule

  • Work hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
  • Work will begin near Parachute with the repair of several miles of damaged fencing.
  • No work is planned on weekends or during state holidays.

Travel Impacts

  • Periodically, crews may need more room on the interstate to deliver dirt for the game ramps. Access to businesses and homes will be maintained.