Transportation Commission approves emergency funding for work on SH 13
Damage to the retaining wall, which supports a portion of the roadway, occurred due to weakened soil structure caused by the recent above average rainfall. The roadway has slipped up to five feet in the area above the wall. This rural highway is a key link between I-80 to the north and I-70 to the south.
In response to the situation, traffic has been moved away from the road supported by the wall. Yesterday, on May 21 the Transportation Commission approved an emergency conditions request for this project. The request allows CDOT engineering staff to begin design and shortly thereafter start construction to repair the slope and wall. “We understand the need to shore up the slope failure and we have been working to do that without impeding traffic but we are now in a position where we need to reconstruct the structure,” said Clint Moyer, Program Central Resident Engineer.
“Our team, CDOT crews and Rio Blanco Road and Bridge staff are all working collaboratively to keep an eye on conditions in the area and doing our best to make sure the situation isn’t deteriorating to a place that is no longer safe,” said Sheriff Anthony Mazzola, of Rio Blanco County.
CDOT maintenance forces have been monitoring and repairing this section of highway with rotomill tailings over the last several months and more recently on a daily basis to keep the roadway operational to traffic and safe for the traveling public.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS: CDOT maintenance crews have implemented a traffic shift toward the northbound lanes to lessen the traffic load near the failed MSE wall. Please slow for the cone zone that has been put in place. The speed limit through that zone is 25 mph.
STAY INFORMED: For information regarding CDOT projects statewide, log on to www.cotrip.org, download the CDOT Mobile app or call 511 from anywhere in the state. To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.codot.gov and click on the talk bubble in the lower right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/
