CDOT Region 5/southwest & south-central Colorado announces 2019 construction projects

June 20, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Projects emphasize safety initiative for all travelers

 

SOUTHWEST & SOUTH-CENTRAL COLORADO ― The Colorado Department of Transportation announces that almost $85 million will be spent on highway construction and traffic improvement projects in southwest and south-central Colorado this year. Every project will carry out components of CDOT’s new initiate: Whole System. Whole Safety.

“CDOT’s priority is to bring everyone home safely ― that implies every member of the traveling public and every CDOT employee who works on our highways,” said CDOT Executive Directory Shoshana Lew. “Safety for and on our roads depends upon newly built systems and improving the efficiency and safety of infrastructure that’s already in place.”

Regional projects being constructed each have benefits that are aimed at helping reduce traffic injuries and deaths.

“Our objective is to improve the safety of Colorado’s entire transportation network,” continued Lew. “By investing in these improvements, we can enhance safety conditions for those traveling in the southwest and south-central regions and ultimately reduce the rate and severity of crashes.”

REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The 30 projects taking place throughout southwest and south-central Colorado will involve work on hundreds of miles of roadway, six bridges, four culverts, and several intersections. Work includes new construction and the repair of existing infrastructure.

“The projects set for our areas will accomplish of a variety of needs by building new road features or enhancing existing infrastructure,” explained CDOT Traffic and Safety Program Engineer, Julie Constan. “New construction may include lane widening, new concrete safety barriers and the building of multimodal features such as new ADA sidewalks and ramps, and paths. Work on existing structures may include asphalt overlay, chip seal, guardrail replacement, and highway striping.”

To view a list of all Region 5 projects, click here: <2019 TRAFFIC WATCHERS>

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Region 5’s 30 construction projects total approximately $84.63 million, taking place in 16 counties. The projects employ 350 region-wide CDOT employees in southwest and south-central Colorado. The projects also frequently utilize the services of local engineering firms, construction companies and subcontractors which collectively have a workforce of hundreds of professionals and skilled laborers.  

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System. Whole Safety. initiative. This program takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behavior, 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 safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.

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!

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

For more information about individual projects and to obtain updates as project work progresses, contact Region 5 Communications Manager: [email protected] or 970-749-2015.

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, and administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service.  Governor Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s inter-modal mobility options.