Project to Resurface and Widen US 6 Between Eagle and Wolcott Expected to Begin in 2012
EAGLE COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)’s highly anticipated resurfacing and widening project on US 6 between Eagle and Wolcott, which will be completed in partnership with Eagle County, is expected to begin in 2012. While CDOT had hoped the work would take place this fall, the contractor bids received for the project were rejected and bids will be reopened in early 2012 for new estimates.
“We are certainly disappointed that we were unable to complete the project this year,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Martha Miller. “We realize that both motorists and cyclists alike have been looking forward to its completion for some time. However, since Colorado state law dictates that CDOT only accept project bids within 10 percent of engineering estimates when there are less than three bids, we have to re-advertise the project to obtain new bids and have adjusted our engineering estimates to meet current market conditions.”
The project is the third phase of a partnership between CDOT and Eagle County to widen shoulders and resurface US 6 between Wolcott and Eagle. The estimated $2.5 million project ($1 million of which was provided by Eagle County) will include shoulder widening (from non-existent shoulders to two foot shoulders) and an asphalt overlay of US 6 between mile marker (MM) 153 and MM 158 (about six miles west of Eagle to a mile east of Wolcott, which is at MM 159). Work will also include grading, drainage, and resurfacing improvements at the parking lot located south of I-70 at the Wolcott interchange. The project was initially advertised in July 2011 for fall 2011 construction, however contractor bids were rejected based on Colorado House Bill 99-1031 which mandates the rejection of bids when only two bids are submitted and when bids exceed the engineer’s estimate by more than 10 percent.
Two earlier phases of the project have already been completed, including one finished in 2009 to improve a section of US 6 east of Wolcott. The $2.5 million project ($1 million of which was provided by Eagle County for shoulders) widened the shoulders to two feet and resurfaced the highway between MM 158 (east of Wolcott) to MM 163.
The first phase of the project was completed in 2008, which widened and resurfaced a section of US 6 east of Eagle between MM 151 and MM 153 for a contract amount $722,341.
