With the holiday season upon us, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced it's fully prepared to take on the wintery challenges that often accompany this time of year. According to CDOT, their crews are geared up to ensure travelers' safety during what's typically a high-traffic period, and thanks to a series of effective recruitment efforts, CDOT has been able to lower its vacancy rate to the lowest in a decade, dropping earlier concerns of understaffing. As reported by CDOT detailed the strategic implementations and proactive steps taken to mitigate the effects of harsh winter conditions on the state's roadways.
Specific strategies include boosting the number of maintainers ready to respond to weather events, unveiling new environmentally-friendly deicers for areas like Berthoud Pass, and ensuring the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels are equipped with new de-icing systems. After experiencing significant snowfall last winter, Berthoud Pass will benefit from a specialized team prepped to handle heavy snow conditions. "We will deploy a response team of five to six employees on Berthoud Pass that will work nights 24 hours in advance of a major weather event," CDOT Director of Maintenance and Operations John Lorme said, per CDOT.
As for the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, known for their unpredictable weather shifts, a dedicated plow truck has been assigned to maintain the tunnel approaches. "Our new systems and processes will help to decrease the occurrence of slick conditions in and near the tunnels," Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels Program Manager Paul Fox explained, as obtained by CDOT. CDOT advises drivers to be cautious, recommending a slower speed and caution when entering and exiting the tunnels.
In anticipation of the holiday road congestion, CDOT has also planned to implement "resource surges" along the I-70 Mountain Corridor as well as other heavily traveled routes. The agency's collaborative efforts have extended beyond CDOT, involving local first responders, public works departments, and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association. Not forgetting the importance of technological tools for communication, CDOT has updated its COtrip.org website and the COtrip Planner app to "winter mode" for easier access to real-time travel information.
