Improving Highway Communications

May 18, 2011 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - Work Continues on Upgrades to Electronic Variable Message Signs on I-70 West.

GLENWOOD CANYON – PROJECT WORK ZONE UPDATE: Glaser Electric will be removing the electronic Variable Message Sign located over the eastbound lanes of I-70 at MP 118 (just east of No Name Tunnel) this Friday at 2:00 PM. To safely complete this work, the contractor will close both eastbound lanes for up to 45 minutes, with every effort made to minimize this closure period and impacts to No Name Residents.

This work is part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s multi-phased project to upgrade electronic Variable Message Signs (VMS) in several locations along the I-70 west corridor (from Grand Junction to Vail Pass.) These upgraded VMS boards are approximately 26 feet long and 8.6 feet high and are cantilevered over traffic lanes. Replacing obsolete equipment with the new signs allows CDOT to better meet newer network standards and requirements, improve message display (e.g., pixels, characters and LED technology) and more effectively communicate with the traveling public.

The four signs being installed during this project all serve eastbound I-70 traffic, although some work has/will affect westbound traffic. Work completed to date includes:

  1. I-70 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction (MP 32.30): Caisson work has been completed for this structure.
  2. I-70 at Vail (MP 173): Underground work (conduit/boring) has been completed.
  3. I-70 at Edwards (MP 162.30): Underground work (conduit/boring) has been completed.
  4. I-70 at No Name (MP 119): Sign removal Friday, May 20, with new sign installation later in June.

Each VMS installation costs approximately $250,000 to $300,000 depending of the location. The cost includes a foundation, steel structure, wiring and labor. (At No Name, where the structure already exists, the cost will be approximately $120,000 for the sign only.)

For information on other CDOT projects statewide, the public may log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511 from anywhere in the state. In addition, media and the public are encouraged to sign up for free e-mail/wireless alert messages regarding highway conditions in any chosen area – go to www.coloradodot.info and choose the green phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

I-70 GLENWOOD CANYON EXIT LOCATIONS