80th Avenue Between Meade Street And Oakwood Avenue Opens To Traffic Following Waterline Work

WESTMINSTER– Around noon today, December 10^th, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reopened 80^th Avenue between Meade Street and Oakwood Avenue following construction of a new City of Westminster waterline.  This portion of 80^th Avenue has been closed since late August 2010 for the construction.

“Even though the waterline work is now complete and this portion of 80^th Avenue is now open, motorists are still encouraged to use the signed detour route since 80^th Avenue over US 36 remains closed for bridge replacement,” said CDOT Engineer Jason Lucerna.  “In the coming months, we will continue construction on the new bridge in hopes of reopening 80^th Avenue over US 36 in the spring of 2011.”

In addition to completing the pipe work, crews have also completed the bridge piers and other median work along US 36.  As a result, eastbound and westbound US 36 will be realigned into its normal configuration on Sunday, December 12^th and Monday, December 13^th.  The following lane closures will be in place:

• Westbound US 36 between Federal Boulevard and Sheridan Boulevard: One lane of westbound US 36 will be closed starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 12th with a second lane closing at 11 p.m.  All lanes will reopen by 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
• Eastbound US 36 between Sheridan Boulevard and Federal Boulevard: One lane of eastbound US 36 will be closed starting at 10 p.m. on Monday, December 13th with a second lane closing at 11 p.m.  All lanes will reopen by 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Delays are possible on Sunday and Monday during the realignment and alternate routes are advised.  CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey all construction signs and flaggers and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”  Fines for most infractions that occur in the work zone will be doubled.

While 80^th Avenue over US 36 remains closed for bridge construction, motorists are encouraged to take one of the following detour routes to avoid the construction zone:

• Detour for 80^th Avenue between Meade Street and Oakwood Avenue: Motorists can take Lowell Boulevard or Oakwood Drive north to Bradburn Drive and then either Lowell Boulevard or Oakwood Drive south to 80^th Avenue.
• Detour for 80^th Avenue over US 36: Motorists can take 72^nd Avenue or 92^nd Avenue to Sheridan Boulevard or Federal Boulevard. Local residence and business access will be maintained at all times, but delays are possible during work activities.

The pipe work and traffic realignment are part of a project that replaces the 80^th Avenue bridge over US 36.  The bridge was originally constructed in 1951 and is one of Colorado’s poor bridges.  When complete, the new bridge will be wider to accommodate an additional left turn lane from 80^th Avenue to Oakwood Drive and a wider sidewalk.  The new bridge will also have greater vertical clearance and will be longer to accommodate the future widening of US 36.

Structures, Inc. is the contractor for this $7 million project being funded by CDOT and the City of Westminster.  80^th Avenue over US 36 will likely reopen in the spring of 2011 following some unforeseen utility issues and the entire project will be complete in the summer of 2011.

For more information about the project, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/80thAve_US36.  To receive the monthly flyers and other updates throughout the project, sign up for e-mail alerts at www.coloradodot.info.  Click on the logo in the upper right-hand corner below the search function and choose 80^th Avenue at US 36 under projects.  You may also choose to sign up for other lists based on your needs and interests.

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