Work to Resume Monday on I-70 Bridge Rehabilitation Projects
DEER TRAIL - Rehabilitation work to I-70 between Deer Trail and Agate will resume on Monday, March 21, as the Colorado Department of Transportation continues work on eight bridges located on the interstate between the two towns.
In July 2015, work began on rehabilitation of eight bridge structures starting at Mile Point 329, just south of Deer Trail, and extending approximately 12 miles to the east to MP 341, south of Agate. As part of this structural rehabilitation, hydro-demolition, concrete milling, and concrete overlay activities will be completed.
Bridge rail replacement work on the Agate Interchange bridge is scheduled to begin on Monday. The bridge is located at MP 340.4, and closures may extend from MP 339.6 to MP 341. The inside or outside eastbound lane, as well as the adjacent westbound lane, will be closed to protect I-70 traffic from hazards of overhead bridge rail work. Additionally, one of two lanes over the bridge on Elbert County Road 166 will be closed each day with traffic bypassing the work in the remaining lane. Traffic delays will be minimal with passage controlled by flaggers.
This work will take place during daylight hours only. However, should occasional overnight work be needed, it will be for periods no longer than three consecutive days. As a result of the work, a speed reduction will be in effect from March 22 through mid-April. The normal 75 mph will be reduced to 65 mph and again to 55 mph prior to the work zone.
From April 12 through June 30, it is expected that both eastbound lanes will be closed between MP 329.2 and MP 337.4. Eastbound traffic will bypass the 8-mile work zone in the inside westbound lane of I-70, thus creating a two-way head-to-head situation in the westbound lanes. The speed limit within the 8-mile work zone will also be reduced to 55 mph. During this head-to-head configuration, an oversized load restriction will be placed to allow a maximum of 12-foot wide vehicles.
From July 1 through Sept. 15, single lane closures are anticipated for both eastbound and westbound traffic from MP 329 to MP 341. The normal 75 mph will be reduced to 65 mph and again to 55 mph prior to each work zone. These closures will be daytime only.
Information on the project can be found on the project website: https://www.codot.gov/
Background:
This set of eight bridges were built at various times throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. All structures were modified to meet modern bridge rail requirements in 1994 but have not received full rehabilitation since their initial construction.
This $3.9 million rehabilitation project will bring much need structural rehabilitation, which will extensively lengthen the life of these bridges. An innovative polyester concrete overlay will be used to preserve the bridge deck work for a longer duration than that of a normal overlay.
