Glenwood Canyon Paving Project Ending
GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Resurfacing on I-70 in west Glenwood Canyon is rapidly coming to a close this week. The work began in mid-April and has consisted of repaving several sections of the eastbound lanes between Grizzly Creek (Exit 121) and Hanging Lake (Exit 125). Approximately 30,000 SY of concrete pavement was placed, replacing badly deteriorated asphalt pavement. Traffic in both directions was placed on the westbound lanes while the repaving work was conducted. Traffic in both directions was placed on the westbound lanes while the repaving work was conducted.
“Actually, traffic has been re-introduced to the eastbound lanes as of today,” project Public Information Manager Tom Newland said. “Both eastbound and westbound traffic will be subject to some lane closures while crews grind off the temporary detour pavement markings used to detour traffic and reset concrete barrier in the median.” The project is expected to wrap up by Wednesday and traffic patterns in the canyon will return to normal on Thursday.
The project is part of a multi-phased plan to resurface the highway in Glenwood Canyon with concrete. Concrete is more durable and lasts longer than asphalt, and although initially more expense to place, in the long-term concrete pavement reduces maintenance costs and lessens highway closures.
UNRELATED CANYON TRAVEL IMPACTS: Recreationalists should be aware that two popular destinations in the canyon will be restricted. High water forced the closure of the Glenwood Canyon Bike Path earlier this month, and the bike path remains closed at least until water levels recede and repairs can be completed. At least one area of the bike path has been damaged to the point it is impassible, and the extent of other damage will be unknown until the water recedes. In addition, Excel Energy (not CDOT) will have contractor Yenter Companies conducting rock-scaling activities above the Hanging Lake Rest Area exit immediately after the July 4th weekend. This work will require the closure of the Hanging Lake Rest Area from Tuesday, July 5, through Friday, July 8. This means that Hanging Lake Trail will not be accessible during this time period.
CDOT and the Contractor, Lawson Construction of Longmont, wish to thank the users of Glenwood Canyon for their patience during the project.
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.
