State Highway 13 Reconstruction Project Complete

The project impacted 1.95 miles of the highway from mile marker (MM) 25 to MM 27, and included widened shoulders, added guardrails, and added drainage pipes to this section of the highway.

“Motorists who drive on SH 13 through the area will notice a much smoother roadway as well as improved sight distance along the roadway, which will help make the highway safer,” said Project Engineer Eric Peterson. “We want to thank the community for their patience throughout the project.”

Although the project finished on budget, it ran slightly behind schedule when the truck carrying paint for highway striping was involved in an accident on I-70 in September and the load of paint spilled on the shoulder. Crews had to wait for new paint to arrive, which caused a slight setback.

Approximately 16,000 man hours were required to complete the reconstruction of this portion of highway. The project will provide many benefits to motorists, including increased driver visibility thanks to leveling/flattening of curves and hills, increased safety with widened road shoulders, a smoother roadway surface, 1,900 feet of new guardrails, and improved drainage with 1,650  feet of installed pipe. Altogether, 19,430 tons of hot mix asphalt was used on the project.

The $4.9 million project was contracted to Old Castle United Companies.

Beginning next spring, CDOT will continue to make highway improvements to SH 13 just south the recently completed project in order to continue to improve safety for the traveling public.

To receive email or text alerts about the project, visit www.coloradodot.info/ and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. From the list, select “SH 13 Rio Blanco” from the list of options. Project updates and photos will be posted at http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/sh13rioblanco. If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a message on the project hotline at 970-878-7107 or email [email protected].