CO 39 in Morgan County

Project completed

Project Information

This Permanent Repair project on SH 39 and SH 71 removed and replaced damaged roadway with riprap slope protection and completed installation of a new CBC in Morgan County.

Please find the attached 4.19.15 weekly project update for the SH 39 and SH 71 Project.

Damage Overview

SH 39 in Morgan County, Colorado provides direct access between I-76 and the town of Wiggins, north to the town of Goodrich.  Two miles north of Goodrich is Jackson Lake State Park, accessible indirectly via SH 39/SH 144.  SH 39 sustained minor damage at three locations within the South Platte River floodplain between mileposts 6.8 and 7.5, affecting two bridges and the town of Goodrich.  Flood waters exceeded the banks of the South Platte River eventually rising enough to overtop the roadway, which weakened the pavement.  On the south end of the Town of Goodrich, the roadway was washed out across a width of 200-250 feet.

Emergency (Temporary) Repairs

The damaged roadway, shoulders and embankment were repaired as well as overhead and underground utilities.

Permanent (Long-Term) Repairs

Long-term repairs include removal and replacement of pavement that was overtopped by flood waters, repair of damaged utilities, removing and replacing temporary pavement installed during Emergency Repair and repairing and/or replacing damaged Right-of-Way fencing.  Ground adjacent to the roadway that was disturbed during Emergency Repair will be re-vegetated with native grass seed and mulch.  

Estimated Timeline

  • Project is complete

Estimated Budget

  • $4 - $10 million (shared with project SH 71E)

Benefits

One of the goals in the repair process was to introduce certain betterments (improvements beyond bringing the road to standard) to roadway facilities that were damaged and make them more resilient to similar storm events in the future.  Analysis of the damage caused during the flood event led to certain design elements being incorporated in an effort to prevent or lessen the severe damage that significant flood events can cause.  At this site, steps were taken to ensure the roadway has additional high water relief to handle large storm events.