Resurfacing Begins on North Fremont Pass Next Week

Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Operations begin at Copper Mountain and proceed southward to Climax, atop Fremont Pass.  Traffic stops up to 20 minutes should be expected. A 35 mph speed limit also will be in effect.

In addition to resurfacing and new striping, work includes widening the shoulders two to four feet along some narrow sections of roadway to enhance vehicle and bicycle safety, rehabilitation of the bridge at the Interstate 70/State Highway 91 Interchange, and construction of two basins to collect sediment.  New signs also will be installed and damaged guardrail repaired.

“This project is extending the lifespan of the road surface and the bridge at the Copper Mountain-Leadville exit by 10 years,” says CDOT Project Engineer Mike Voxakis.  “The other enhancements, like new striping, will help improve safety by increasing the surface visibility, especially at night.  Fixing the guardrails will help keep vehicles away from roadside hazards like trees and ditches.”

The $3.7 million project, contracted to Elam Construction, Inc. of Grand Junction, CO., is scheduled for completion in November 2011.

Due to the limited construction season in this area of the state, CDOT also is resurfacing the south side of Fremont Pass, between Climax and Leadville.  Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to noon on Fridays.  Drivers should anticipate delays up to 10 minutes through September 2011.

Traffic information about this or other CDOT projects is on the cotrip.org website or by calling 511.  To receive updates on both projects 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 SH 91- Copper Mtn to Leadville.