Rock Mitigation on Highway 133 beginning on July 8th

July 1, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado/Northwestern Colorado

Gunnison County — On Monday, July 8th the Colorado Department of Transportation will begin rock mitigation work on Colorado Highway 133 between Paonia and McClure Pass, at MP 29.7. Work will be performed by consultant Rock Solid Solutions and is part of CDOT’s geohazards program. Crews will  blast and downsize a large slab of rock on the slope. 

As part of CDOT’s “Whole System-Whole Safety” initiative, that is aimed at enhancing safety for Colorado’s traveling public, the rock mitigation work will help ensure safety for motorists on the roads and help prevent damage to the road or passing vehicles caused by falling rocks. 

Highway 133 at MP 29.7 rock mitigation.PNG

Rock scaling is the removal of loose rock from slopes. CDOT engineering and maintenance crews are persistent to identify areas along Colorado roadways that may be prone to rock falls. Any loose surface material on a cliff or slope could present a rock fall hazard for motorists on the highway.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

For the next three weeks, work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travelers can expect lane closures and delays. Motorists will encounter a speed reduction and a wide load restriction. Motorists are encouraged to check COtrip.org for road alert and condition information. The project is expected to be completed by the end of July.

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.

  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.

  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.

  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.

  • Be patient!

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.  

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.