CDOT Contractor Earns Incentive for Early Completion of Work on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon
CDOT contractor Interstate Highway Construction (IHC) of Englewood, CO, had a contract for a 94-working-day project and instead completed the work in 78.5 days—or 15.5 days early. With a $6,000/day early completion incentive offered by CDOT, IHC will earn an incentive of $93,000 for this accelerated work.
“We implement early-completion incentives on projects with high public and community impact, like this one in the canyon,” CDOT Program Engineer Joe Elsen said. “IHC not only completed the work early, but presented a high-quality project as well.
Work began in late March on the concrete reconstruction project, which was contracted to IHC for $7.9 million and is fourth in a series of phased projects to reconstruct I-70 through Glenwood Canyon in concrete. (The first three phases have reconstructed the interstate west of Hanging Lake Tunnel—between No Name Tunnel at MP 118 and Hanging Lake Tunnel at MP 125.) Concrete reconstruction will extend the life of the highway for up to 30 years, depending on traffic volumes and weather.
The recent project installed concrete in the eastbound lanes, from Hanging Lake Tunnel to east of the Bair Ranch Exit (MPs 125.9 -131). In addition to concrete reconstruction, the project involved bridge expansion joint work at two I-70 bridges (east- and westbound) and two I-70 ramp bridges (at MP 128, Bair Ranch); as well as a an asphalt milling and resurfacing at the Bair Ranch rest area parking lot. Also, the project provided a long-lasting weather-proofing surface on the eastbound bridge at Bair Ranch – a polyester concrete overlay that should provide 30 years of bridge deck preservation, weather-proofing and skid resistance.
“Excellent work was done and it’s very impressive that IHC could complete this project in only 78 days, considering some of the weather delays,” CDOT Resident Engineer Roland Wagner said. “We're glad to see that IHC earned a nice early completion incentive payment—they deserve it.”
The contractor credits much of the success to a great working relationship with CDOT’s project engineer, Josh Cullen, who’s overseen the past phases of work in the canyon.
“We really appreciate working with the CDOT team,” IHC Project Manager Eddie Davidsen said. “Josh is the best and most professional owner we have ever worked with; and we are looking foreword to the next project with this team.”
Updated information regarding traffic impacts CDOT projects statewide is available at www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/currentcond/ or by calling 511. To receive project updates via wireless device or e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.
