SH 133 rockfall mitigation work starts Monday
GUNNISON COUNTY-On Monday, May 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and their contractor partner, TK Construction of Grand Junction, will begin a rockfall mitigation project on SH 133, 12 miles east of Somerset. The approximately 1½-mile work zone (MM 24 to 25.5) is adjacent to the south end of the Paonia Reservoir.
IMPACTS: The project will require up to 20-minute traffic holds with single-lane alternating traffic on SH 133. Traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until the project is complete. No weekend work is anticipated at this time. Delays are expected. During working hours, a 12-foot width restriction will be in place.
In June 2015, approximately seven days of blasting will require intermittent full closure of the highway for up to five hours at a time. At least seven days in advance of the full closure, multiple signs will indicate dates and times of the scheduled closure. The highway will reopen to traffic every evening.
This project will reduce the risk of rockfall in the area, as well as provide measures to capture some material in the event of rockfall. Work includes performing trim blasting, rock scaling, and rock reinforcement. Crews will install anchored wire mesh, a ground nailed wall, ditch improvements and erosion control.
Depending on weather, the project is anticipated to be complete in October 2015. The project was awarded to TK Construction for $2.73 million.
CDOT would like to remind motorists to Slow for the Cone Zone. Fines will be doubled within the work zone.
The best way to stay up to date on travel impacts during the project is to sign up for email alerts. Go to www.cotrip.org and click on the green cell phone icon in the center of the page. Enter your information and choose ‘SH 133 Paonia Reservoir Rockfall’ under the ‘Projects’ list. If you have questions or concerns, please call the project information line (970-417-8150) or send an email to: [email protected]. . Information about weekly lane closures will also be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/
