CDOT to Begin Intersection Improvements Project on US 85 Near Gilcrest Monday
WELD COUNTY — On Monday, October 22, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin work on an intersection safety improvements project on US 85 near Gilcrest at the intersections of Weld County Road (WCR) 31 and WCR 42.
As part of the project, safety improvements to the driving lanes and medians will be completed at both intersections, which will include the lengthening of turn lanes and accommodations for easier turns for larger vehicles like commercial trucks, buses, and fire trucks. A traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection of US 85 and WCR 42 to improve the safety of turns to and from US 85. During the project, CDOT will be coordinating with a railroad company to create improved signals, signage, and crossing arms near the tracks. Dependent on when the railroad work is complete, the project is tentatively scheduled to be finished in April 2013.
“This project will improve the safety of US 85, especially near Weld County Road 42 and the nearby school and fire department,” said Project Engineer Jim Bledsoe. “By installing a traffic signal, we will also create better access for motorists to and from US 85.”
Work on the project will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday each week. There will be some detours and lane closures required throughout the project. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 MPH through the work zone. CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey all road signs and flaggers, and to drive Slow for the Cone Zone.
The $795,000 project, contracted to Mountain Constructors, Inc. of Platteville, CO, is funded as part of the FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) legislation which is dedicated to improving safety and replacing poor bridges throughout the state.
To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visitwww.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.
