I-70 Concrete Slab Replacement Project complete

Garfield County — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Myers & Sons completed a concrete slab replacement project on Interstate 70. The project took place from Mile Points 85.5-98, between West Rifle and Silt. The work replaced approximately 13,000 square yards of deteriorating and damaged concrete slabs along the 12 ½ mile section of interstate. Now complete, the improved interstate surface provides a safer and smoother driving experience.

“This project is one of several along the I-70 corridor, a roadway that is so critical to communities in the mountains and statewide,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Keeping traffic flowing through this section of interstate is essential for workers to be able to get to where they need to go. Repairing the surface of the roadway and reducing traffic impacts is a key goal, and the project team has successfully carried out that goal.”

Crews replaced approximately 600 concrete panels on the project, which began this spring. During this project, 100,000 square yards of concrete paving was ground and textured for smoothness improvements to I-70. Crews used a diamond grinder for the smoothest surface possible. This improves safety and the driver experience on I-70.

Representatives from CDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, elected officials and contractor partners gathered this fall to celebrate the safety improvements included in the project.

Representatives from CDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, elected officials and contractor partners gathered this fall to celebrate the safety improvements included in the project. State Senator Perry Will and Representative Elizabeth Velasco joined, along with Myers and Sons Construction, AtkinsRéalis, Escalante Construction Management & Engineering. Photos of the event are available using this link.

“It’s great to have a state roadway construction project that extends the life of our existing infrastructure,” said Colorado Division Administrator John Cater with the Federal Highway Administration. “It’s not only cost effective, it’s also good from an environmental perspective. Instead of having to tear out pavement and bring in new material, crews can improve the roadway surface material that we’ve got, and keep it working in place for many years to come.”

Concrete panel replacement took place along a section of I-70 between West Rifle and Silt in Garfield County. The roadway is a critical commuter corridor to and from Colorado Highway 82 and the Roaring Fork Valley.

“When constituents talk with me, they ask what road improvements are happening,” said State Senator Perry Will. “This is a project I can tell them about, and they appreciate the work being done. Customers have noticed this project and how much better this section of I-70 will be with the new and smoother concrete. Kudos to everyone involved and keep up the good work!”

The project was necessary because existing concrete had been placed in the 1970s and needed surface treatment rehabilitation. The concrete isn’t quite at the end of its life yet, so CDOT isn’t at the point of needing to do full reconstruction yet.

“I want to extend my thank you to CDOT and the team for prioritizing this road,” said State Representative Elizabeth Velasco. “Sixty percent of the workforce for Pitkin County and Aspen lives in Garfield County. We know that for us a healthy workforce means open roads, and leads to safer and healthier communities.”

In addition to the concrete slabs, project work includes rumble strips, guardrail upgrades and bridge deck overlays with polyester concrete.

“We appreciate our contractor partners were able to add work to this project. This fall, crews have increased the number of concrete panels that will be replaced,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Josh Cullen. New work also included paving interstate ramps at exits 87, 90, 94, and 97 within the project limits. “The project added the interchange improvements as night work, to reduce the traffic impacts for commuters,” continued Cullen. “As a result, those impacts took place late at night instead of delaying motorists on the way to and from work.”

The expanded work included bridge departure reconstruction, which means crews fixed a large dip at the westbound I-70 bridge near West Rifle.