New Vine Drive bridge over I-25 now open

November 19, 2019 - Northeastern Colorado

FORT COLLINS –The new Vine Drive bridge over Interstate 25 opened to traffic Monday, several weeks earlier than originally planned. This major milestone also means that both the east and west I-25 frontage roads are open after full reconstruction. 

The new bridge is more than double the width of the old one and adds left-turn lanes at the frontage roads to enhance safety and keep traffic moving. Other project benefits include:

  • New shoulders and sidewalks on Vine Drive over I-25

  • Improved bridge transitions on Vine Drive and the frontage roads

  • Higher clearance underneath the structure for I-25 traffic

“Opening the Vine Drive bridge as soon as possible was a priority for our team. With limited connections over I-25 and several at-grade railroad crossings in the area, we understand the importance of this transportation corridor,” said Chris Boespflug, CDOT Resident Engineer. 

With the new bridge now open, the contractor will utilize daytime lane closures on Vine Drive and the frontage roads to install guardrail, finish seeding, place signs and erect fences. Intermittent I-25 lane closures are also necessary while crews complete finishing work and remove temporary barrier walls. 

Sidewalks on the bridge will remain closed through mid- to late December.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Vine Drive closed in early June for CDOT and contractor partner, Zak Dirt, to replace the old bridge over I-25.

Built in 1966, the original bridge warranted replacement as part of the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBE). Formed in 2009, the CBE is funded by 2009 FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) legislation. The purpose of the CBE is to finance, repair, reconstruct and replace bridges. 

Although this project is not related to the larger expansion of I-25 happening from Berthoud to Fort Collins, the new bridge at Vine can accommodate future expanded capacity on I-25 as well as provide increased safety with shoulders on Vine, as part of CDOT’s Whole System. Whole Safety initiative. 

For additional project information call the project hotline at 970-541-8955, send an email to [email protected] or visit the website at https://www.codot.gov/projects/vine-drive-bridge-replacement.

For real-time information regarding traffic impacts on any state highway, motorists can sign up for CDOT email and text alerts by visiting www.codot.gov and clicking on the small envelope icon at the bottom right of the page. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook (www.facebook.com/coloradodot).

 

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.