Road improvement project resumes on CO 7

March 22, 2019 - Northeastern Colorado -

ESTES PARK – Colorado Department of Transportation and Flatiron Constructors have begun preparation work on Colorado Highway 7 after a winter break. Full-scale operations are scheduled to resume in early April, weather permitting.  

Tree removal was the first spring task on the $13 million project that aims to repair flood damage from 2013 when it became a major route in and out of Estes Park due to closures on US 34 and US 36. Heavy trucks and increased traffic caused damage to the road.

Next, crews will continue repairing and replacing culverts along CO 7 around Mary’s Lake. Roughly 40 culverts, nearly half, were completed last year in addition to 90 percent of the in-town intersections slated for upgrades.

Lexington Lane is the remaining intersection that requires improvements with the goal of addressing it this spring. Those improvements included better accessibility for people with disabilities such as curb ramps and sidewalk tie-ins. No in-town work will take place between Memorial Day and Labor Day to accommodate for busy summer tourism.   

The CO 7 project also includes 12 miles of road repaving, which will be the primary focus for 2019. Last year crews began widening the road to create at least four additional feet for bicyclists. The new bike lanes will start at Lily Lake and connect to the existing bike lanes at St. Malo’s Chapel on the Rock.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

  • Full-scale operations will begin the first of April and go until October.

  • Normal working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. In special cases, these hours may be extended.

  • In-town construction will not occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

TRAVEL IMPACTS

  • Single lane closures with up to 15-minute delays

  • Isolated full closures with up to 30-minute delays for rock fall mitigation

  • Shoulder closures

  • Sidewalk detours

PROJECT DETAILS

  • Cost: $13,000,000

  • Permanent flood repairs

  • Mill and overlay

  • Road widening to accommodate bike lanes

  • Culvert repairs and replacement  

  • Curb ramps and sidewalk tie-ins

*See map of the project attached.

STAY INFORMED: The public is encouraged to sign up for notifications to stay informed. Subscribe to updates by contacting the project hotline phone number at 970-903-9785 or email [email protected]. Additional information on CO 7 can be obtained by visiting the project website: www.codot.gov/projects/co-7-road-bike-lane-ada-improvements-in-estes-park

ABOUT CDOT: CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located at its Denver headquarters and in regional offices 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.