CDOT Begins a Project to Improve the Safety of CO 340

Travel Advisory

July 9, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado - Work to begins July 13 and continues through late August

MESA COUNTY - The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor, KSK, LLC, will begin work on Monday to improve the safety and smoothness of Colorado Highway 340 on the Redlands in Grand Junction. The project, located between Mile Points 6 and 7 (between Independence Valley Drive and F ½ Rd.), will widen the highway in a section of CO 340 with a significant volume of vehicles and cyclists traveling to the Colorado National Monument. CDOT recommends that cyclists avoid this section of CO 340 during the project (please see recommended detour routes below). The work also includes an asphalt overlay, culvert replacement, minor drainage improvements, roadside delineation and striping.

TRAVEL IMPACTS
Eastbound and westbound motorists will alternate throughout the project, with temporary traffic signals in place to safely guide motorists. Motorists should anticipate 5 - 10 minute delays at times. Motorists will be traveling on an unpaved surface until paving operations commence. Work will be underway from a half hour after sunrise to a half hour before sunset, Monday through Friday. Travelers are urged to slow down, obey the posted lowered speed limit and avoid all distractions.

Cycling detour: CDOT asks that cyclists take an alternate route during the project. Options for cycling to Rim Rock Drive and access to the Colorado National Monument include:

Detour 1: When traveling west on CO 340 towards the Fruita entrance for Rim Rock Drive, cyclists should turn left on F ¼ Road, then left on 20 Road, and right on E ½ Road (South Broadway), continue northwest on South Broadway until the intersection with CO 340. Turn left on CO 340 to continue west towards the Fruita access to Rim Rock Drive. Use this detour in reverse for traveling from the west towards the Grand Junction access to Rim Rock Drive.

Detour 2: Cyclists can also use Grand Junction’s Riverfront Trail. Please note there is a user fee for some sections of the Riverfront Trail.

PROJECT & TRAVEL INFO

For additional information about this project, contact the project team. 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook 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.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • 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.

  • Be patient!

 

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 health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO and practice social distancing, wear face masks, stay at home when possible, and avoid nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

 

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 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 inter-regional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.