CO 13 Garco Rio Blanco Hill Widening

About the Project:

Construction crews will soon be back from winter shutdown to resume work on CO 13. The Garco Rio Blanco Hill project is located 11 miles northwest of Rifle and will create safety improvements for the busy stretch of highway. The start date for work in late March or April is weather-dependent. The project is part of CDOT’s statewide 10-year plan to improve highways across Colorado.

During the 2022 construction season, crews completed the installation of box culverts and 72” jacked steel pipes. Other items completed were asphalt patching and the relocation of the CDOT Intelligent Transport System (ITS).

The project team will stay in close contact with CDOT maintenance crews in the event of Interstate 70 closures in Glenwood Canyon. This coordination will help the project team prepare for detour traffic during I-70 closures.

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Project Benefits:

• Safety improvements on the project are designed to give motorists wider roads to travel on during inclement weather, accommodate higher traffic volumes, and to help prevent roadside erosion.
• The resurfacing and widening will create smoother pavement and improved driving conditions
• Adding chain up areas will significantly improve safety for travelers when weather conditions suddenly change.
• Two wildlife underpasses will help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

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Work Schedule

• Daytime work from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Friday.  Weekend and night work may occur if necessary.
• Beginning early April, crews will begin work to complete the headwall structure at 72” jacked pipe, storm drainage crossings, game ramps, wildlife fencing/animal crossings, concrete lined ditch, geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) wall, barrier walls, cattle/deer guards, aggregate base course, asphalt paving, roadway mitigation, storm drainage completion, permanent signage, permanent striping, and new guardrails. The anticipated completion date is fall 2023.

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Traffic Impacts

• Width Restriction: No loads over 12' wide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use Alternate Routes.
• The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph through the work zone
• Two or more shoofly detours in place.
• Traffic will be guided by signals with alternating lane closures.
• Motorcyclists use caution - there may be loose gravel and un-even lanes

Work this Week & Lane Closures
CO 13 Garco Rio Blanco Hill Widening