I-25 South Gap on-time and on-budget, entering final year

News Release

September 29, 2021 - Southeastern Colorado - Drivers can continue to expect overnight closures, more travel room

DOUGLAS/EL PASO COUNTIES — As the I-25 South Gap project enters its fourth year of construction, more than 3,251 people have invested 1.3 million hours to construct safety and travel reliability improvements along Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument. This Colorado Department of Transportation project – in partnership with Kraemer North America – remains on time and within budget as it enters the final year of construction.

The 18-mile I-25 South Gap project will deliver a new Express Lane in each direction, wider shoulders, five new bridges, four new wildlife crossings, 28 miles of deer fencing, a southbound I-25 truck climbing lane at Monument Hill, a southbound I-25 chain up station and improved technology. The entire project is expected to conclude in November 2022.

Motorists can expect to see paving operations and crews finishing bridge work (specifically in Larkspur and Monument), which may require I-25, ramp and bridge closures. In addition, motorists will see wider travel lanes as crews eliminate barrier through the I-25 South Gap work zone. Although travel lanes are becoming wider, it is still vital for motorists to heed the posted speed limits, keep a safe following distance and never drive distracted or impaired.

Additional I-25 South Gap Progress

Project promise

Progress as of Sept.1, 2021

 

Bridges: Five bridges will be reconstructed as part of the I-25 South Gap project.

 

 

From north to south:

·        The Spruce Mountain Road bridge is 100% complete

·        The Upper Lake Gulch Road bridge is 95% complete

·        The bridge over Plum Creek is 100% complete

·        Greenland Road bridge: 100% complete

·        County Line Road bridge: 70% complete

 

 

Paving: All lanes will get new pavement. The project includes 822,000 tons of permanent asphalt.

 

 

To date, 620,000 tons of asphalt placed; 75% of paving complete.

 

Advanced technology: Crews are working to modernize communications and power along the corridor to enable future advanced technology. Part of this advanced technology comes in the form of new fiber-optic cable.

 

 

Crews have relocated nearly 90,000 linear feet of existing fiber-optic line that was beneath I-25.

 

 

Wildlife safety: Four new wildlife underpasses are being built with the expectation of delivering a 90% decline in animal/vehicle collisions along the I-25 South Gap corridor. These full-span bridges were designed in partnership with the Colorado Division of Wildlife specifically to accommodate animal crossing. Also includes 28 miles of deer fencing.

 

 

 

23.5 miles of 28 miles total of deer fencing installed; four wildlife crossings complete.

 

Workforce: Investing in infrastructure also means investing in small businesses and people.

 

 

·        The I-25 South Gap project has hired 3,251 field employees who have contributed to more than 1.3 million hours of work.

·        $35.7 million of wages have been paid to field employees to date

·        There have been 556 subcontractor contracts executed, with over 175 contracts being disadvantaged business enterprise certified. More than 500 suppliers have contributed to the project. The majority of sub-contractors are Colorado-based businesses.

·        CDOT requires prime contractors to provide on-the-job training as part of the project contract. The I-25 South Gap project has nearly 80 apprentices who have recorded nearly 40,000 training hours.

 

 

 

Project Info

Project Hotline: 720-745-5434

Web: i25gap.codot.gov

Sign up for email updates: [email protected]

Text alerts: Text I25GAP to 21000

Project Facebook Page: Facebook.com/I25SouthGapProject

For current travel information and updates, visit cotrip.org.

About the Project

CDOT is improving 18 miles of I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock by widening the highway from two to three lanes in each direction. The new lane will operate as an Express Lane, allowing motorists the choice of taking the Express Lane for a faster, more reliable travel time in exchange for a toll. Express Lanes will be free to vehicles with three or more people and motorcycles. All travelers will have the choice of taking the general-purpose lanes for free.

The $419 million project also includes shoulder widening, rebuilding bridges, new wildlife crossings, resurfacing with new pavement and modernizing technology. Project completion is scheduled for 2022.

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!