CDOT Improves Highway Conditions, Bridges on SH 141 South of US 50

August 18, 2011 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - MESA COUNTY – Work is underway on a Colorado Department of Transportation project to improve the safety and roadway condition of SH 141 south of Whitewater.

The 11-mile project extends from the junction of US 50 (at mile point 154) south to MP 143 and includes the following improvements:

  1. HIGHWAY - Highway resurfacing involves removal and recycling of the top two inches of existing asphalt to help prevent reflective cracking up into the new two-inch asphalt surface that will be laid; minor shoulder widening will provide two-foot shoulders.
  2. BRIDGES - Improvements on four bridges:  deck rehabilitation on all four structures involves removing the asphalt surface, repairing the concrete portion of the deck underneath, installing a waterproof membrane and resurfacing the deck in asphalt; other bridge improvements will include replacing and repairing bridge joints; making minor surface repairs to some deterioration at each end of the concrete girders (the bridge’s horizontal support structures) on two of the bridges; adding curbs to those two structures; and replacing bridge rail on all four structures.
  3. CULVERTS - Five corrugated steel, under-highway culverts will receive repairs—a polyethylene (plastic) lining is slipped into the 30-inch diameter culverts and the space is then filled and reinforced with grout.

“This project will greatly improve this stretch of highway,” State Transportation Commissioner Doug Aden said. “The bridges—some of them built in the 30s—will have rehabilitated decks that will better withstand the elements, and the girder repairs are bringing these supports to a new condition.”

The project was contracted to Mays Construction Specialties, JV, for $4.8 million.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Monday through Friday, from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M., motorists will encounter single-lane, alternating traffic through the work zone. There is a 10-foot width restriction in place during work hours.

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.