CDOT Announces Estimated Reopening Dates for Several Highways

September 26, 2013 - Statewide Transportation Plan - DENVER – Following the selection of four contractors earlier this week as well as continued work by Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance crews, the National Guard and other contractors, CDOT has announced estimated opening dates for many highways.

The ultimate goal is to complete temporary or permanent repairs to restore mobility on these state highway routes by December 1, 2013. The total cost of permanent repairs on Colorado’s highways is now estimated at $475 million.

“Over the last several weeks, our maintenance crews, contractors and the national guard have been working extremely hard to reopening highways and reconnect communities,” said Johnny Olson, Infrastructure Recovery Force Incident Commander. “We are excited that we can now provided timelines for many of the highways, but it is important for motorists and the communities to remember these are tentative dates and factors such as weather and construction challenges can shift the opening dates.”

Below is a list of highways that remain closed as well as an estimated opening date where possible. All estimated openings are weather dependent and could change based on the conditions of the highway once crews begin the extensive repairs. In addition, some of the corridors will reopen in a temporary state meaning a gravel road or a one-lane configuration.

  • US 34 between CR 27 and Estes Park: The contractor began the damage assessment this week. More information to come soon, but the goal is to reopen SH 7 in a temporary state by December 1, 2013.
  • US 34 between CR 27 and the Dam Store: This two-mile stretch of US 34 is scheduled to reopen by the end of September or early October 2013.
  • US 34 between Greeley and Kersey: This section of US 34 will reopen to traffic in late September or early October 2013 as a temporary road. Paving will occur after the highway opens to traffic.
  • US 34 between 37th Street to CR 49 in Greeley: This section of US 34 Business will reopen to traffic in early to mid-October 2013.
  • US 36 between Lyons and Estes Park: The National Guard is working with CDOT to make temporary repairs. The highway is scheduled to reopening by December 1, 2013.
  • US 36 south of SH 66: The location on US 36 has been closed due to a damaged bridge. The repairs are nearly complete and is scheduled to open to one-lane alternating traffic by tomorrow. This will allow motorists to travel from Boulder to SH 66.
  • State Highway (SH) 7 between Lyons and Estes Park: The contractor began the damage assessment this week. More information to come soon, but the goal is to reopen SH 7 in a temporary state by December 1, 2013.
  • SH 39 between Goodrich and I-76 and SH 144 between US 34 and Weldona: The contractor is just now able to mobilize now that the water has receded. More information to come soon.
  • SH 71 near Snyder: The contractor is just now able to mobilize now that the water has receded. More information to come soon.
  • SH 72 between SH 93 and SH 119: Repairs are underway and should be completed by the end of November 2013.
  • SH 119 between Boulder and Nederland: SH 119 is scheduled to reopen in mid to late October 2013.
  • SH 144 between US 34 and Weldona: The contractor is just now able to mobilize now that the water has receded. More information to come soon.
  • SH 257 between SH 60 in Milliken to US 34: This section of SH 257 is scheduled to reopen by the end of September 2013.

CDOT will also continue to work with local law enforcement and the contractors to facilitate resident and property owner access to the roadways during construction, where possible. This will likely include setting established times for access to ensure that construction and repairs can be expedited.

To view an updated list of highway closures related to the flood or for a list of frequently asked questions, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/floodinfoupdates. Highway updates are also available at cotrip.org or by calling the CDOT Flood Information line at 720-263-1589 or 511 from anywhere in the state.  Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at facebook.com/coloradodot.