Attention all drivers planning to hit the Interstate 70 on the Eastern Plains come mid-March, construction work is on the horizon. Beginning March 17, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will embark on a bridge preventative maintenance project stretching from Limon to Flagler, affecting Mile Points 362 to 394.5.
The CDOT has announced an eight-month plan to rehabilitate 10 bridges as part of a broader goal to ensure safety and extend their serviceable lives. This initiative, as reported by CDOT, includes removing and replacing concrete deck toppings or hot mix asphalt with a new polyester concrete overlay or a waterproof membrane and hot mix asphalt overlay along the stated 33-mile stretch. Structures Inc., an Englewood-based contractor, has secured the $5.2 million project contract
Heather Paddock, Regional Transportation Director who oversees Northeastern Colorado, emphasized the importance of this project, as obtained by CDOT, saying, "These are only 10 of our 3,447 bridges in CDOT’s transportation system, performing these essential and preventative maintenance repairs are necessary to extend the lifespan and keep the traveling public safe." Travelers should prepare for single-lane, alternating traffic directed by temporary signals and minor delays during daytime work hours, which run from Monday to Friday, starting 30 minutes after sunrise and wrapping up 30 minutes before sunset.
To mitigate disruptions, CDOT urges travelers to "know before you go," by checking weather forecasts, travel impacts, and road conditions before departure. Useful resources include COtrip.org for road conditions, the COtrip Planner app, sign-ups for project or travel alerts, and scheduled construction lane closures. Speed limits will be reduced in the work zones, and although lane closures may only cause minor delays, CDOT advises drivers to exercise caution, especially at night. Additionally, headlights should be on to enhance visibility, and ample space is recommended between vehicles.
