Delays and ramp closure expected on eastbound I-76 near 96thAvenue Wednesday night

February 7, 2017 - Denver Metro Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - ADAMS COUNTY –On Wednesday, Feb. 8 starting at 8 p.m., motorists should expect delays overnight on eastbound Interstate 76 while crews shift travel lanes onto new detour pavement.

Eastbound I-76 will be reduced to a single lane from 8 p.m. on Wednesday until 5:30 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Crews will temporarily close the 96^th Avenue on-ramp to eastbound I-76 starting at 10 p.m. on Wednesday in order to move temporary barrier and restripe the highway. All on-ramp traffic will be directed onto westbound I-76 to make a U-turn at the 88^th Avenue interchange.

The ramp and lane closures will reopen by 5:30 a.m. on Thursday.

If work is delayed due to weather, the traffic switch and ramp closure will occur overnight on Thursday. All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.

DETOUR ROUTES

To access eastbound I-76 from 96^th Avenue, the signed detour will direct motorists to enter westbound I-76 at the roundabout, proceed on westbound I-76 for approximately one mile, exit the highway at 88^th Avenue (exit 10), turn east (left) on 88^th Avenue, and turn north (left) to enter eastbound I-76.

This work is part of the I-76 at US Highway 85 reconstruction project. Shifting eastbound I-76 traffic onto the detour pavement allows permanent construction to begin on the outside lanes of I-76. Crews are currently placing permanent pavement along westbound I-76 and southbound US 85 after a similar traffic shift occurred in December 2016.

BACKGROUND

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Villalobos Concrete Inc., will be constructing this safety improvement project through 2017.

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.

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 96^th 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.

PROJECT INFORMATION

For additional information about this project, call the information line at 720-296-0110, email the team at[email protected], or visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/i-76-at-us-85-reconstruction. For information on travel conditions, visit www.COTrip.org, sign up for GovDelivery, or call 511. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and CDOT’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/Coloradodot.