I-70B Project Restarts Next Week

February 3, 2011 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - GRAND JUNCTION – Work on the I-70B Reconstruction Project will be restarting next Wednesday, February 9, 2011. Construction began on the project last July and work was suspended for the winter holiday shopping season on November 19, 2010.

The contractor, Lawson Construction, will begin placing traffic control signs and barriers early next week in preparation of the resumption of road work. Work will likely start on the median areas between the eastbound and westbound lanes. Once the median is placed, the eastbound traffic lanes, which are currently paved with asphalt, will be replaced with a concrete driving surface. Work will also be continued on paving the south frontage road, placing sidewalks, landscaping and revegetation of the project area.

TRAVEL IMPACTS - Traffic will remain in its current configuration initially during construction of the median area.  However, right and left turns off of US 6 & 50 in the project area will be impacted as the median is placed.

“The details of the project schedule are being worked out right now between the contractor and CDOT,” said Tom Newland, Public Information Manager for the project. “Single-lane closures can be expected as initial work is done in the median.”  Newland said that initial estimates call for the work to continue through the spring, and that further details on the specific daily travel impacts and project schedule will be announced shortly.

The project was contracted to Lawson Construction of Longmont, Colorado, for $9.36 million--$4 million of which was funded by FASTER legislation (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery). Monies collected under the FASTER Safety Fund are to be used for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance projects that the Transportation Commission, a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street.

Those with questions or concerns about the project, or who want to receive regular updates on the project progress, may reach Tom Newland, Public Information Manager for the project, at (970) 773-3457 or [email protected].

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/currentcond/ or by calling 511. To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including Northwest Colorado.

Additional information on the FASTER legislation is accessible at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.