US 85 to be temporarily closed; I-25 realigned as construction moves forward on new roadway

October 29, 2014 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - CASTLE ROCK--A new route to Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 85 from the west side of the Town of Castle Rock will come with the completion of the North Meadows Extension, which is currently under construction.

There are two road updates related to this construction drivers should be aware of this week.

Temporary detour around U.S. 85 Oct. 31-Nov. 2
U.S. 85 will be closed and traffic will be detoured around the project area the weekend of Oct. 31. The detour is required so crews can install a new storm drain system as part of the construction. The closure, and related detour, is expected to begin around 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The highway is expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3. At the same time, Union Pacific Railroad has agreed to close the tracks that weekend. The northbound detour will be Atrium Drive to Castlegate Drive West to Castlegate Drive North, which will be temporarily reopened to accommodate this detour. Southbound traffic will be detoured to Castlegate Drive North, to Castlegate Drive West to Atrium Drive. A section of Atrium Drive, starting at Atrium Way to Factory Shops Boulevard, will be closed at this time, allowing the detour to flow more smoothly. Semi-trucks should take C-470 and I-25. Finally, because of the detour, residents are asked not to park on Castlegate Drive West and Castlegate Drive North. There will be “no parking” signs throughout, and violators could be towed.

Temporary realignment of northbound I-25
Crews are currently working to build the bridge that will take I-25 over the new roadway. For that work, they will have to temporarily realign the interstate. Similar to the traffic switch on the southbound side of I-25, a northbound realignment just north of the Founders/Meadows Parkway exit will be in place by the morning of Thursday, Oct. 30. Because of the construction zone, the speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 55 mph. This temporary shift will be for all four lanes. Crews will work to put this temporary alignment in place the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 29, so drivers can expect overnight lane closures at that time. The temporary realignment is expected to last six to eight months.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Town of Castle Rock and its contractor Edward Kraemer and Sons remind motorists to drive slow through the cone zone. To receive more information call the project hotline, 303-327-4033, for a weekly recorded update or to ask a question.

The North Meadows Extension will help improve operations at the current Founders/Meadows Parkway interchange with I-25 and at the intersection of Meadows Parkway and U.S. 85. It will also provide a second northern access for residents in The Meadows, the Pines at Castle Rock and Castle Villas, along with shoppers at the Outlets at Castle Rock. The project is a partnership between the Town, Douglas County and CDOT.