Installation of cable tension rail begins in May for North I-25 north of Fort Collins

Travel Advisory

April 23, 2020 - Northeastern Colorado

The Colorado Department of Transportation and prime contractor, Scott Contracting, plan to begin installation of a cable tension barrier in the median of Interstate 25 the first week of May in two northern sections. 

The cable guardrail system will provide extra safety for the traveling public. 

The first segment begins just north of Colorado Highway 14 and continues past Wellington. The second segment starts at the Wyoming boarder and stretches south for 7.5 miles. 

Installing cable median barriers in strategic locations is an effective method to prevent cross-median crashes. Steel cables strung on posts absorb most of the kinetic energy from a car hitting the barrier. The posts break and the cables flex, redirecting the vehicle along the median and preventing it from hitting oncoming traffic. 

Cable tension wires also are less expensive and easier to fix than concrete barriers. If the barrier is damaged, the posts slide out easily to allow a new cable section to be installed more quickly. 

The project on northern I25 will begin in May and go through August. Travelers can expect reductions in speed, one-lane closures and shoulder closures during the duration of the project. 

PROJECT SCHEDULE 

  • Work on this project will begin at the beginning of May and go through August.

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

  • No weekend work is anticipated. 

TRAVEL IMPACTS

  • Single-lane closures

  • Speed reduction to 55 miles per hour

  • Shoulder closures 

Project Information: The public is encouraged to sign up for notifications to stay informed. Subscribe to updates by contacting the project hotline at 970-903-9330 or email [email protected]. Additional information can be found on the website at https://www.codot.gov/projects/i25-cabletension-weld-larimer/i25-cabletension-weld-larimer.

COVID-19

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has promulgated guidelines for construction activities. Gov. Polis announced an emergency, temporary stay-at-home order for all of Colorado, which went into effect March 26. With this order, the public is urged to #DoYourPartCO and avoid all nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and 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!

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.  

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative 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 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. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Gov. Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.