Phase 3 of I-70B Reconstruction to Begin

This major road improvement project extends from 25 Road east to approximately 1,000-feet east of the Rimrock Avenue intersection.

The project involves full concrete reconstruction, the addition of a third lane in each direction and access and intersection improvements. The project is scheduled for completion in December of 2013.

The project will cost $7.3 million and is partially funded through *FASTER. Phase I, $9.6 million, was completed in July 2011 and reconstructed between 24 Road and 24 ¾ Road; Phase II, $5.1 million, was completed in October 2012 and reconstructed from 24 ¾ Road through 25 Road intersection; all phases included some FASTER Safety funding.

Benefits of the project include increased safety and access for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians; the reconstructed highway will accommodate the projected 40,000 vehicles a day in 2030. Overhead utilities will be buried, storm sewers will be improved, the asphalt driving surface will be replaced with low-maintenance concrete and the streetscape will be significantly upgraded with medians, lighting and landscaping.

The first phase of the project will add additional asphalt to the eastbound lanes and reconstruct the south-side frontage road. The second phase will move traffic over to the eastbound lanes and remove and replace the westbound lanes. The third phase will move traffic onto the new driving surface on the westbound lanes while the eastbound lanes are replaced. Finally, directional traffic will be relocated to the two outside lanes while the center turn lanes and median is replaced.

TRAVEL IMPACTS:  Motorists should be prepared to experience the following conditions within the construction zone during work hours—typically Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

•             While two lanes in each direction will be kept open, short traffic stops may occur and will be kept to a minimum;

•             The speed limit through the project area will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph;

•             For safety, left turns in the project area can be made only at the signalized intersections (in addition, the “cut-through” turnoffs onto the side access roads will also be closed);

•             All business accesses will be maintained, but may be altered at times;

•             Some evening and weekend work will be done, as necessary to expedite the project.

CDOT and the contractor, Lawson Construction, greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation while going through the work zone. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

Those with questions or concerns about the project, or who want to receive updates on the project phasing, may call or text Tom Newland, Public Information Manager for the project, at (970) 618-9805. Tom’s email for the project is [email protected].

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/currentcond/ or by calling 511. The website for the project is www.coloradodot.info/projects/I70Breconstruction. To receive project updates via e-mail, contact Tom Newland or 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 Northwest Colorado.

* Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (SB 09-108) uses a portion of vehicle registration fees for construction, reconstruction or maintenance projects that the State Transportation Commission, a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road or city street. Additional information on FASTER is available at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.