Traffic Safety Improvements

From 1992 to 2006 there were 1,028 accidents on the stretch of SH 119 that runs through the city of Black Hawk, the majority of which did NOT involve reckless, impaired or careless driving.  In fact, most involved one or two passenger vehicles (982), dry roads (439), daylight or lit roadways (523), no driver impairment (694) and no adverse weather conditions (538).

There’s an expectation that traffic volumes on Highway 119 will increase.  The state population continues to grow – DRCOG projects a 39.5% increase in the nine-county DRCOG Region by 2030.  Plus, casinos are seeing increased traffic flow due to the expanded gambling laws that went into effect July 1, 2009.

What does all this mean? The roadways themselves need improvement, and the NCC Valley Project will address this need with:

• Improvements by straightening the roadway on five sharp curves that do not meet AASHTO standards
• 1.4 mile widening of SH 119 from the Main Street Intersection South, from two lanes expanded to a four-lane, median-divided roadway to improve traffic flow
• Re-alignment of the existing roadway to provide for 45 mph design speed
• Turn lanes at Douglas Mountain Road at SH 119
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
• New bridge structures
• Retaining walls to reduce rock-fall risk
• Emergency call boxes (the narrow valley is without cell service)
• Variable Message Signs (VMS) for traffic and safety advisories
• Traffic cameras for safety monitoring at CDOT’s Traffic Operations Center
• Remote weather stations
• Road closure gates
• LED lights in the pavement of  five existing highway tunnels
• Backup for fiber optic line to the Western Slope and corridor VMS boards