Regionwide culvert repair project to begin on September 14 in southeast Colorado

EL PASO, FREMONT & PARK COUNTIES — The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin regionwide culvert repairs in El Paso, Fremont and Park Counties. Work will take place on US 24 at MP 288.74, CO 115 at MP 8.22, and CO 9 at MP 46.63. Frontier Environmental Services has been awarded the job, with work expected to start on September 28 and continue into the fall.

This project consists of installing culverts, cleaning culverts and box culverts, repairing joints, adding turf and reinforcement mat and adding rock check dams. In some locations, work will require trench digging and a temporary traffic signal for traffic control with single lane closures.

Work will take place at three locations:

• The US 24 location is anticipating shoulder closures for both east and westbound lanes. The project is expected to start on September 28, working Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CO 9 will have single lane closures and utilize a stop light to allow traffic to alternate turns. The project is expected to start on September 28th, working Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CO 115 will have day time lane closures with flaggers to direct the flow of traffic with delays expected. Work projected to start in November.

As a part of CDOT’s Whole System. Whole Safety. program, the project will enhance safety for the traveling public by replacing and repairing existing culverts for safer travel for motorists.

HIGHWAY TRAVEL IMPACTS

Beginning Monday, September 28, motorists will encounter work on US 24 at MP 288, CO 9 at MP 46, and CO 115 at MP 8. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers will experience shoulder closures, single-lane closures and day time lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Lane closures will be directed by flaggers and a temporary traffic signal. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph within the work zone and will be strictly enforced. Traffic fines will be doubled in the work zone. Motorists should slow down, drive with caution and give themselves extra travel time.

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!

PROJECT & TRAVEL INFORMATION For additional information about this project:

Call the project information line at 719-301-0059

Email the project team at [email protected]

Visit the project website at https://www.codot.gov/projects/secolorado-culvertrepairs

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: www.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

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, road maintenance and 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 by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding 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. Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.