Traffic holds on Edwards Access Road planned for week of June 8

Travel Advisory

June 4, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado - Construction crews will erect girders for the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge

Edwards – Beginning 8 a.m. Monday, motorists will experience single-lane traffic controlled by construction flaggers on Edwards Access Road over the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge. Crews will use the lane closures to install structural steel girders for the new Union Pacific Railroad Bridge. Flaggers will control the area and motorists should plan for extended delays. Lane closures will continue into the early evening each day, and this work is expected to take approximately four days.

Businesses and residences will remain accessible, but motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route to reduce congestion through the work area. North and southbound through traffic on Edwards Access Road may use Miller Ranch Road and US Highway 6 as an alternate route. Motorists should expect delays through the project area during this time.

All pedestrian access over and under the UPRR bridge remains 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. 

This operation is a major step in the construction of the new, widened bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad which aims to improve safety along the busy arterial road as part of CDOT’s Whole System — Whole Safety initiative. Along with widening the road to two lanes in each direction, the new bridge will accommodate dedicated bike lanes and a detached, grade-separated pedestrian bridge.

Stay Informed

For additional information about this project, call the project information line at 970-446-1001, email the team at [email protected], or visit the project website and sign up for updates at codot.gov/projects/edwards-spur-road. For information on travel conditions visit COTrip.org, sign up for CDOT Alerts, or call 511. 

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.
  • Don’t drive distracted. Don’t use mobile devices such as phones while driving.
  • 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!

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