NORAD Bridge Set to Close for Repairs
The loop ramps providing access to and from the bridge also will be closed but the diamond ramps connecting to O’Connell Boulevard and NORAD Road will remain open.
While the closure is in place, drivers who need to access northbound SH 115 can detour south on SH 115 and make a legal U-turn at the Gate 1/Cheyenne Mountain State Park (CMSP) intersection or enter the park, utilize the roundabout and traffic signal to turn north onto SH 115. Access to southbound SH 115 is available by going north on SH 115, and turning around at the South Academy Boulevard Interchange.
“It’s best to fully close the bridge since that’s the best way to cure [dry] the concrete,” says CDOT Project Engineer Wayne Pittman. “By removing traffic from the structure, it eliminates the traffic vibrations that weakens concrete and the summer temperatures are the most beneficial for strengthening concrete in the shortest timeframe.”
The closure is part of an overall project to improve traffic movements along SH 115 and in and out of Fort Carson. Work also consists of reconstructing and widening approximately 1 ¼ mile of the highway between Gate 5 and the Rock Creek Bridge, including new acceleration and deceleration lanes, turn lanes, asphalt paving, new guardrails and drainage improvements. County roads adjacent to SH 115 also are being reconstructed to connect to the highway’s new alignment.
Project hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The speed through the work zone is 40 mph. Traffic impacts generally are minimal, with lane shifts on SH 115, and shoulder closures through the work area. However, traffic may need to be stopped occasionally for various construction activities.
The project is scheduled for completion in December 2012.
Tezak Heavy Equipment Co. Inc. of Caňon City, Colo. is the contractor for the $8.5 million project.
FASTER – Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – is funding $3.6 million of the project cost. Monies collected by the FASTER Safety Fund are used for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance projects that the Transportation Commission, or a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street.
Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511. To receive project updates 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 Southeast Colorado.
