Only minor traffic impacts expected on I-76 in Morgan County this construction season
Travel Advisory
FORT MORGAN – The Colorado Department of Transportation will resume construction activities on Interstate 76 near Fort Morgan and Brush next week after major resurfacing work in 2020. Work zone traffic impacts will be limited in location and duration this season compared to the long-term 24/7 lane closures that were in place last year.
The contractor team led by Martin Marietta will return to I-76 near Brush to place new fencing at the bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad west of U.S. Highway 6. Starting Tuesday, drivers should expect a 24/7 lane closure near US 6, Mile Point 90 to MP 92, for several weeks. Crews will begin work in the westbound direction first.
Although it's not related to the resurfacing project, soil remediation work is also occurring in the median of I-76 west of the railroad bridge. This maintenance activity is associated with a fuel spill incident earlier this year and requires 24/7 lane closures through mid-May. All 24/7 lane closures should be complete before Memorial Day weekend.
Other I-76 work includes placing final pavement markings and diamond-grinding sections of the highway to improve smoothness. Intermittent lane closures and mobile operations are necessary to complete the work. All work on I-76 is expected to be complete this summer.
Asphalt resurfacing will likely return in May on U.S. Highway 34 in Morgan County. The work zone is limited to a one-mile stretch of US 34, locally known as West Platte Avenue, in Fort Morgan between Acco Road and Main Street (Colorado Highway 52). This is the same section of highway where the City of Fort Morgan recently completed water line upgrades and the last area to be resurfaced along the 14-mile corridor between I-76 and US 6. A smooth highway has many important benefits including safety and an improved driving experience.
Other US 34 work this season includes railroad crossing improvements east of Colorado Highway 71 and guardrail installation at several structures repaired during last construction season.
More information will follow regarding the US 34 construction schedule and traffic impacts. Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Weekly updates are available on the project web page.
Stay Informed
For additional information about this project, contact the project team.
Project hotline: 970-427-4005
Project email: [email protected]
Project web page: codot.gov/
Construction alerts: Text CONSTRUCT to 21000
Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:
- Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
- Project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
- Scheduled lane closures
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!
About CDOT
CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
