Spur road construction returns with traffic shift on UPRR bridge

Travel Advisory

April 6, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado

Eagle County — After a four-month winter shutdown, Edwards Spur Road crews are ready to begin the second and final construction season. Weather permitting, work will return on Monday, April 13, with a traffic shift on Edwards Spur Road over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) bridge. CDOT anticipates minimal traffic impacts, but drivers should expect to slow down or stop as directed by construction personnel, plan for narrowed lanes with no shoulders, construction activities and slower speed limits. The shift will allow CDOT to begin work expanding the UPRR bridge. 

During construction, all pedestrian access over and under the UPRR bridge will be closed. Pedestrians should use the Eagle Valley Trail System to cross the railroad on the path near the Mountain Recreation Edwards Field House to the east.  

While the majority of pedestrian infrastructure work at the roundabout and Eagle River Bridge is done, crews will complete remaining trail connections in 2020, specifically connecting the new trail system to the CDOT Rest Area and roundabouts at the I-70 interchange. Another focus this spring and summer will be doing landscaping and aesthetic work.

The Edwards Spur Road project team, like everyone else, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. At this time, per the governor’s statewide order, this construction project is designated as a “critical business” and will continue. Our staff is practicing social distancing, keeping equipment clean and sanitized, not working when sick and taking other precautions to keep the project team safe. As long as it is safe, we will have workers in the field. Please continue to heed construction zone speed limits, watch your following distance and avoid distracted driving. We wish for you to remain healthy and calm during this uncertain time. As always, we will continue to provide project updates through the following channels:


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 Thursday 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. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.