Independence Pass Foundation Plans Work Near Independence Ghost Town

The work will be starting on July 22 and continuing for two weeks, or until August 5.  Work will involve removal of debris from a washout on the north side of SH 82; placement of rock fill and geotextile stabilizing mesh for erosion control; placement of large rocks along the highway edge and installation of drainage structures to channel water away from the reconstructed area.

“This area washed out in 2008 after an unusually snowy winter and heavy spring rains,” said Mark Fuller, Independence Pass Foundation Director. “It has continued to deteriorate since then, eating into the hillside and destabilizing the surrounding area.  Our project will rebuild the slope to a natural contour and will direct groundwater away from the reconstruction so it can be stabilized and re-vegetated with native plants.  This will be one of IPF’s major improvement projects on the pass this year and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of highway users while our work is underway.”

TRAVEL IMPACTS - Heavy equipment and trucks will be employed to remove and replace materials requiring single-lane closures in the area between 8 AM and 6 PM while construction is underway, Monday through Friday. Signs and flaggers will be on-site during the construction period to guide traffic through the construction zone. Traffic delays are not expected to exceed ten minutes.

For more information on this work please contact Mark Fuller, (970) 963 4959, [email protected]. More information about the pass is located at:  www.independencepass.org. For information on CDOT projects statewide, the public may call 511, log on to www.cotrip.org or sign up for project or highway condition updates by going to www.coloradodot.info and choosing the green cell phone icon in the upper right corner.