Travelers to encounter delays on CO 12 due to culvert improvement work

Las Animas & Huerfano County ― The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin a culvert rehabilitation project at four locations in southeastern Colorado as part of its statewide effort to rehabilitate culverts in need of repair. The work will start in late September and will be completed in the fall . Contractor, America West Construction, LLC., has been hired to perform the work.

Site 1: Huerfano County Sites 2-6: Las Animas County

The four project locations include:

• Huerfano County Site 1 – Hwy 12 MP 3.95
• Las Animas County Site 2 – Hwy 12 MP 23.46
• Las Animas County Site 3 – Hwy 12 MP 25.72
• Las Animas County Site 4 – Hwy 12 MP 40.08

The culverts will be rehabilitated using several methods that vary from site to site. Site 1 will be repaired by removing and replacing an existing CMP pipe with a horizontal elliptical pipe. Sites 2 and 3 will be repaired by use of spin casting (CCCP), which uses centrifugal force to uniformly line the inside of each pipe with a high strength mortar.  This method of rehabilitation eliminates the need to dig up the road to replace the culvert, thus reducing the cost and impact to the traveling public. Site 4 will be repaired by unburying and cleaning out the existing box culvert. 

The goal of the project is to increase the longevity of each storm water conveyance pipe to prevent failures and erosion of the embankment(s), while ensuring the safety of the travelling public.

Travel Impacts

Most of the work will occur off the roadways. However, within the construction zone there will be reduced speeds, daily shoulder closures, and traffic devices denoting the area. Work will be performed only during daytime hours and may include some Saturday work.

The traveling public is urged to obey signage for detours, speed reductions, and overweight/oversized restrictions. Motorists should also be aware of flaggers, maintenance workers and heavy equipment on and along the roadway.

Stay Informed

More information about this project is available at:

• Project webpage: https://www.codot.gov/projects/co12-culvertrepairs
• Project information hotline: 720-219-4783
• Email the project team: [email protected]

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:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
• See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html
• 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.
• 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.