I-70 Glenwood Canyon Rockfall Mitigation Emergency Project
Project Overview
In February 2016, Glenwood Canyon was temporarily closed following a rockfall just west of the Hanging Lake Rest Area at mile point 124.2. CDOT performed rockfall mitigation work to secure the area and open all lanes of traffic. On May 9, CDOT launched a full rockfall mitigation project in Glenwood Canyon.
This project was completed in September 2016.
Project Updates
The I-70 Glenwood Canyon Emergency Rockfall Mitigation project is complete. Crews installed the last protective fence on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and there will no longer be traffic impacts associated with this project.
Project Background
Following the rockfall on Feb. 15, crews installed a temporary barrier and repaired the road, bridge, and guardrails. They also did rock-scaling work, and added netting and fencing in the area. However, after the CDOT GeoHazards team found that permanent mitigation measures were needed to further secure the area, CDOT contracted with local engineering firm SGM and Grand Junction-based Yenter Companies to build four rockfall fences out of wire-ring netting.
Project Facts
- Cost:
$2 million - Average Annual Daily Traffic:
16,000 - 22,000
Project Team
- Contractor(s): Yenter Companies
Netting Security Measures
Netting will be attached to posts, and anchors will secure the netting in place. The permanent mitigation measures will create a structural barrier to accommodate potential future rock slides in the area. The technical work requires helicopter operations to deliver materials and rock scaling crews to set the fencing.
