CDOT asks motorists to plan for traffic impacts next week on CO 82 near Aspen at Smith Way/Juniper Hill Road

News Release

October 1, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado - Culvert, guardrail work begins week of Oct. 5

PITKIN COUNTY — CDOT is asking motorists to plan for traffic impacts on Colorado Highway 82 next week at the intersection of CO 82 and Smith Way/Juniper Hill Road. Crews will replace a culvert and repair guardrail in the median at the intersection, which is located approximately seven miles northwest of Aspen. Traffic impacts will include left lane closures on CO 82 and no left turns from CO 82 or from Smith Way or Juniper Hill Road. Detour signs will guide motorists. Impacts are expected to begin Tuesday, Oct. 6, and continue 24-7 through the week. Daytime work hours next week are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

The work will replace damaged roadway, culvert and guardrail, improving the safety of the intersection.

TRAVEL IMPACTS

Accessing Smith Way and Juniper Hill Road from CO 82
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 6, motorists traveling west (down valley) on CO 82 from Aspen will only be able to turn right onto Smith Way. In order to access Juniper Hill Road, westbound motorists will continue further west to Aspen Village, then access eastbound (up valley) CO 82 towards Aspen, and then turn right on Juniper Hill Road. Motorists traveling east (up valley) on CO 82 will only be able to turn right onto Juniper Hill Road. Motorists accessing Smith Way will need to continue east on CO 82 towards Aspen, turn left at the Brush Creek Park-n-Ride, then access westbound (down valley) CO 82 and turn right onto Smith Way.

Accessing CO 82 from Smith Way and Juniper Hill Road

Motorists accessing CO 82 from Smith Way will only be able to turn right onto CO 82, joining the westbound (down valley) lanes. Motorists will be able to access eastbound CO 82 via Aspen Village, which is the same local detour as above. Motorists accessing CO 82 from Juniper Hill Road will only be able to turn right onto CO 82, joining the eastbound (up valley) lanes. Motorists will be able to join westbound (down valley) via the Brush Creek Park-n-ride, also following the detour description above.

STAY INFORMED

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:


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 all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow 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 by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks.  As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home 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.