CDOT Maintenance Crews to Pump Water from I-70 West of Parachute Today, Friday

October 17, 2013 Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - Today and Friday, CDOT maintenance crews will pump the flood-created ponds from median between I-70 east- and westbound lanes west of Parachute (between mile points 68.5 and 69.5).

The heavy flooding in September had sent water, mud and debris across westbound lanes, where it has settled and left two separate ponds. Recent wet weather has prevented the ponds from drying out, which they do typically in this area.

CDOT maintenance crews have worked continuously to ensure the interstate's drainage systems (outlets are on the outer lanes, not in the medians) are clear and functioning well. To clear the median ponds required the department to contract for a specific pump that would also cut through the debris (many pump vendors are currently at work on the Front Range).

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Now this pump is secured, it will be used today and likely Friday, requiring CDOT crews to close the eastbound left lane and reduce the eastbound speed limit to 40 mph through the work area, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate some periodic full stops in both eastbound lanes while equipment is being moved.
Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

For information on other CDOT projects, call 511 or log onto www.coloradodot.info. Or, sign up to receive updates on work and/or highway conditions in any given area by going to our web site and choosing the green mobile phone icon in the upper right corner.