CO 65 Mesa North resurfacing project to begin March 27
MESA COUNTY—The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Elam Construction are scheduled to begin work on the CO 65 Mesa North Resurfacing Project on March 27, 2017. The $5.4 million project involves the infrastructure highway maintenance of a 25-mile stretch along CO 65, located east of Grand Junction within the Plateau Canyon and the Grand Mesa, between mile point (MP) 36 and MP 61.4.
In addition to the highway surface maintenance, the completed stretch will receive new guardrails, bridge repair and pavement markings. The Town of Mesa will also benefit from the operation, receiving upgraded Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -compliant curb ramps. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-September 2017.
"The safety measures are designed to balance tourist traffic with much-needed road maintenance that can only be completed during the summer season," says CDOT Resident Engineer Rob Beck. "The local community's understanding is greatly appreciated."
Roadway Phases
Construction crews are planning to use three resurfacing methods on the project: asphalt overlay, milling/overlay and chip seal. Generally, the overlay portion will be between I-70 and the town of Mesa. Milling and overlay will be done in the town of Mesa so that the finished surface matches existing curbs and other roadway features. Chip seal, designed to patch and seal cracks in the road and extend the life of the asphalt, will occur from MP 36 to MP 48. Pilot car operations are expected to begin in June.
Travel Impacts
Due to significant construction activity, motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. There will periodically be single lane closures of up to two miles in length on the two-lane highway, allowing only one direction of traffic to move through the construction area at a time. The pilot car will safely guide motorists through the construction area. Once the pilot car leads one group of traffic through the construction zone, it will turn around and guide the next set of traffic through the zone. This process will be repeated throughout project working hours.
Speed will be reduced to 35 mph in the active work zone and a width restriction of 12 feet will be enforced. Up to three separate locations along the 25-mile project may be impacted simultaneously on a daily basis.
