CDOT Cleans, Repairs Critical Culverts on US 25 Between Minturn and Red Cliff

EAGLE COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation has begun a project to clean and repair several culverts under US 24 between Minturn and Red Cliff. The project was originally designed to clean and repair one aging culvert and clean a second—and recent large mud slide events in the area prompted CDOT to add two additional culvert cleanings to the project.

The four corrugated steel culverts are located between mile points 148.8 (about three miles southeast of Minturn) and 152. Full repairs are happening at the culvert located at MP 151.6. This 60-inch culvert will be cleared of debris and reinforced with a “slip lining;” a high-density polyethylene (plastic) pipe will be inserted inside the steel culvert and the void will be grouted. Three other culverts (one that is 48 inches in diameter and two others that are 36 inches) will be cleaned—rocks and mud will be removed by hand and also with a high-pressure jet of water. July mud slides had filled these culverts to capacity—some slides covered the highway three feet high with mud and debris, and brought down some very large rocks.

The project was contracted to American West Construction of Denver for approximately $255,000, which includes work to clear the two additional culverts.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Monday through Friday, from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., motorists will encounter single-lane, alternating traffic through the work zone—delays are minimal, running five minutes or less currently. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and go “Slow for the Cone Zone!” Work will be completed in mid-September 2011.

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 wireless device or e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items/areas you can subscribe to.