I-25 Widening Project Shifting into High Gear

May 8, 2014 - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - Colorado Springs – Construction is underway to add a third lane to southbound Interstate 25 from Monument to the North Gate Interchange – the final segment of widening between Woodmen Road and Monument.

A third lane was opened to traffic through all other segments in December 2013.

In addition to widening the remaining section of highway, warmer tempertures will allow the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to begin rotomilling and paving operations by mid-June, when nighttime temperatures should consistently be above 50 degrees – the minimum temperature required for asphalt paving.

“We’ve received a number of inquires regarding the roughness of the road surface this past winter,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Tom Wrona.  “The decision was made to open as much of the third lane as possible before we shutdown major construction on the project.   It was determined that the traveling public would appreciate having another lane open to them as soon as possible, even if the roadway remained rough for a few months.  And the vast majority of the comments we’ve received confirmed that decision.”

Although major construction was suspended, work continued through the winter, including installation of new lights, guardrails, signs and erosion control materials.  Potholes resulting from the wet and cold tempertures also were repaired when road and weather conditions allowed.

“A lot of travelers wondered why we didn’t keep moving ahead with paving during the winter and early spring but we can’t since weather conditions don’t allow us to,” added Wrona, “but it remained an active work zone with a reduced 65 mph speed limit in effect since the minor work continued and the road surface wasn’t up to standard for traveling at 75 mph.”

Night Work Schedule:

  • Sunday through Thursday – 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.  Speed limit reduced to 45 mph in work zone.

o   UNDERWAY – Single lane closures southbound for barrier placement from Monument to North Gate Boulevard to create safe work zone for crews.  Work then begins to add third lane.  Through June.

o   UNDERWAY – Double lane closures northbound and southbound at North Gate Boulevard for expansion joint replacement.  Through early June.

o   BEGINNING MID-JUNE – Double lane closures northbound and southbound between Woodmen Road and Monument for rotomilling and asphalt paving.  Through August.

Day Work Schedule:

  • Monday through Friday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Speed limit remains reduced to 65 mph in work zone.

o   UNDERWAY – Single lane closures – as needed – southbound from Monument to North Gate to provide access to the construction zone for equipment and workers building third lane.  Through June.

All work is subject to weather and road conditions.

More @i25expansion Project information is available by visiting www.southi25expansion.com. Call the project hotline at 719-247-8339 to have comments and questions addressed by the project team. To receive project updates via email or text, register at www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cellphone in the upper right corner of the page.