Drivers in Carbondale should be prepared for delays as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) kicked off a significant rockfall mitigation project on CO Highway 82 at Red Hill, east of the CO 82/CO 133 intersection. Starting May 5, the initiative aims to fortify the safety of the roadway with an anticipated completion set for the tail end of September 2025. In a bid to prevent future rockslides, teams from CDOT and Rock Supremacy are slated to begin strategically removing dangerously loose rocks, applying mesh netting, and proceeding with culvert maintenance. Travelers can expect occasional traffic holds up to 20 minutes during scaling operations, largely concentrated within May and June.
According to CDOT's Regional Transportation Director, Jason Smith, "This is an area where we have seen multiple rockslides and traffic impacts because of falling rocks and debris." Smith's statement emphasized the dire need for these preventative measures, as obtained by CDOT, clearly signaled joy for finally addressing the hazards that have plagued this stretch of CO 82. The newly installed post-mounted mesh system is designed specifically to capture tumbling rocks and debris, funneling them securely into a catchment ditch.
Impact on travel is inevitable, with daytime work hours setting the stage Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDOT has announced measures that will undoubtedly affect traffic, including single-lane closures, a reduced speed limit of 45 MPH, and a 14-foot width restriction. For the most updated information on delays and work progress, CDOT encourages drivers to utilize an array of resources such as COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app, or sign up for direct project or travel alerts.
