Safety Project Set to Start on Highway 285

Windy Point is located about four miles north of Conifer.

Beginning on Wednesday, December 12, both lanes of northbound U.S. 285 will be shifted to the right, allowing the concrete pavement to be removed and the drain installed. Then, beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 14, the highway will be reduced to one lane for concrete pouring operations. Northbound Highway 285 remains in a one-lane configuration until 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 15.

The second project phase shifts both northbound lanes to the left at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 17. It will remain in that configuration through Thursday, December 20.

The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph through the area when work is taking place.

“Ground water frequently seeps up onto the road through the concrete joints and then freezes, icing up the roadway in an area where northbound 285 is heading downhill towards a curve and that’s caused accidents in the past,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Steve Harelson. “We’re removing the concrete panels and installing a drain system that’ll intercept the ground water and drain it into the existing drainage system, eliminating the freeze-up problem.”

FASTER – Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – is fully funding the $160,000 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.

The contractor, K.E.C.I Colorado Inc. of Sedalia, CO. is scheduled to complete a majority of the project by December 20, 2012, weather permitting. A one-day, two hour lane closure may be required around January 1 to seal the new concrete.