CDOT, Georgetown Celebrate New Roundabout
GEORGETOWN — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Georgetown commemorated the completion of the town’s first roundabout today, providing improved traffic flow during periods of high volume in the summer and winter.
Construction of the single lane roundabout, at the 15th Street/Argentine Street intersection, just south of the Georgetown Interchange on Interstate 70, began with utility work in spring 2011. Work resumed on the project in September, and was completed in late November.
“We were able to complete this project on-time and about $80,000 under-budget and much of that was due to a good partnership with Georgetown,” said Regional Transportation Director Tony DeVito. “A good example of that partnership was how we worked together to get an early start on the utility work, allowing us to complete the project on-time, even though we suspended construction during the summer, allowing the surrounding streets to be kept open during the busy tourist season.”
New fiber optic was installed as part of the project, providing the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office with live CDOT camera feeds for monitoring area highways.
The old bus shelter also was removed as part of the project and relocated to a safer location on Argentine Street.
“The roundabout significantly improves safety at this busy intersection,” added DeVito, “not just for vehicles but for pedestrians as well since the crossing has been enhanced. It’ll also allow emergency vehicles to move unimpeded when responding to incidents on I-70.”
Concrete Express, Inc. of Denver was the project contractor.
FASTER – Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – funded $1.1 million of the $1.5 million project. Financed by vehicle registration fees, FASTER safety funds are used for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance projects the Colorado Transportation Commission, a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street. Additional information is accessible at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.
The remaining $400,000 was funded by Hot Spots, which finances location-specific traffic and safety improvements. These projects are generally smaller, with minor impacts on capacity or the environment. Work elements include environmental, design, utilities, right-of-way, and construction.
