"Whole System-Whole Safety" improvements to begin on CO 82 between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale

May 14, 2019 - Northwestern Colorado

 

GARFIELD COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation's "Whole System-Whole Safety" program announces Colorado Highway 82 improvements between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale beginning this week. Much of the early stages of the project will be guardrail and utilities work with paving not expected to begin until late summer.

This five-month improvement project includes asphalt mill and overlay, guardrail replacement, utility work, ramp improvements and striping on both directions of CO 82 in the travel lanes. Construction will occur on CO 82 between 24th Street in Glenwood Springs and mile point 12, just past the main Carbondale exit. CDOT has prioritized this area for construction due to the condition of the roadway which has seen significant rutting which often results in standing water on the highway. This project will provide an improved driving surface and help ensure the longevity and safety of our infrastructure. Motorists can expect lengthy work zones and are reminded to please be aware of posted speed limits through the zones to keep both fellow motorists and our crews safe on the project.

Crews will likely begin the project in Glenwood Springs with utility work and guardrail replacement and work towards Carbondale. Work areas may shift to expedite construction while accommodating the lane closure restriction times. This work is part of a $7.3 M CDOT contract awarded to local contractor, Grand River Construction based in Glenwood Springs. This contract also encompasses chip seal and striping work on US Highway 6 between Rifle and New Castle.

TRAFFIC AND TRAIL IMPACTS

Travel impacts for motorists and trail users will vary throughout the project. For much of the guardrail replacement and the mill and overlay work in the driving lanes of the road, motorists should anticipate stretches of lane closures, reduced speed limits and narrowed roads during daylight hours. Delays are anticipated.

In order to minimize impacts to the traveling public, there will be no lane closures during the morning peak for the eastbound/up valley lanes (towards Aspen, 6-9 a.m.) or during the afternoon peak for the westbound/down valley lanes (towards Glenwood Springs, 3-7 p.m.).

Crews will also be constructing improved pedestrian curb ramps at several intersections along the corridor including: 27th Street, Blake Avenue, Spring Valley Road and CO 133 (the main Carbondale exit). This work will ensure that all current standards are met and maintained on ADA ramps while enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility. Rio Grande Trail users should anticipate some detours and intermittent holds. During work and non-work hours all trail users are asked to follow signage, flagger instruction and any detour routes for their own safety.

The project is scheduled to be complete October 2019. To sign up for traffic and trail impact updates, please contact public information via email, [email protected], or phone, 970-340-4333.

 

STAY INFORMED

∙       Project Information: 970-340-4333

∙       Email: co82info@gmail.com                     

∙       Travel Conditions: cotrip.org

∙       See scheduled lane closures.

∙       Sign up for project and real-time travel alerts.

∙       Facebook | Twitter

 
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.