Eastbound I-76 to close overnight Sunday at 96th Avenue

October 26, 2016 - Denver Metro Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - ADAMS COUNTY – Starting at 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, crews will temporarily close eastbound Interstate 76 between 96th Avenue and 104th Avenue to all traffic overnight in order to remove an overhead sign structure.

 

 All eastbound motorists will be detoured off I-76 at 96th Avenue (exit 11). Eastbound I-76 will reopen by 5 a.m.on Monday. All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. 

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

During the closure, northbound US 85 will not be accessible directly from eastbound I-76. All eastbound motorists will be detoured off I-76 at 96th Avenue (exit 11). To access eastbound I-76, the signed detour will direct motorists east (right) on 96th Avenue, head north (left) on Colorado Highway 2 for approximately four miles to access the next on-ramp to eastbound I-76. A detour map is available on the project website (www.codot.gov/projects/i-76-at-us-85-reconstruction). 

Sign bridge removal is part of the I-76 at US Highway 85 reconstruction project. Crews are currently constructing Phase 1, which constructs detour pavement. Traffic will then shift onto the detour pavement so permanent construction can begin on the outside lanes of I-76 and US 85.

Motorists should expect delays at times, especially during peak hours. The following temporary lane closures are now in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week through 2017.

  • Westbound I-76 approaching US 85: Two lanes reduced to one lane.
  • Westbound I-76 between US 85 and 96th Avenue: Three lanes reduced to two lanes with one direct lane from westbound I-76 and one direct lane from southbound US 85.
  • Eastbound I-76 between 96thAvenue and US 85: Three lanes reduced to two lanes with northbound US 85 temporarily striped as an exit. Two eastbound I-76 through lanes continue east of US 85. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Villalobos Concrete Inc., will be constructing this safety improvement project for approximately the next year. Temporary barrier wall separates motorists from adjacent construction activities. 

During construction, the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph and fines are doubled. Lane widths are reduced to 11 feet through the work zone. An oversized vehicle width restriction of 15 feet is strictly enforced. Concrete barrier wall physically constrains the width of the highway. All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change. 

This project will improve the geometry of the westbound I-76 curve where the interstate joins southbound US 85. This transition area will be upgraded to current design standards to improve safety and traffic flow. An additional travel lane from southbound US 85 to 96th Avenue will be built with the project. Portions of I-76 will also be replaced with new concrete pavement. Additional project features include improved roadway drainage, lighting and water quality measures.

Construction will continue through the winter with an anticipated completion in early 2018. This $10 million improvement project is partially funded by FASTER Safety funds.

Additional information is available by calling the project information line at 720-296-0110, sending an email to[email protected] or visiting the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/i-76-at-us-85-reconstruction. For information on other projects, visit www.cotrip.org, call 511 or download the CDOT mobile app.