The hum of freshly-laid asphalt now accompanies travelers along a stretch of Colorado Highway 65 near Orchard City, following a major resurfacing project undertaken by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and United Companies. Confirmed complete as of recent, this infrastructure upgrade spans from Mile Point 0, where the road meets Colorado Highway 92, northward to MP 6.5, just shy of Eckert.
In a move designed to not only maintain but also improve regional transport conditions, the CDOT has overseen extensive work on both northbound and southbound lanes. "This project shows CDOT's commitment to bettering our roadways and will extend the life of the asphalt pavement on CO 65," said Jason Smith, CDOT's Regional Transportation Director, as detailed by CDOT. The intent is to offer a smoother ride, which is tantamount to enhancing community and visitor safety.
Improvements went beyond basic resurfacing; the project scope included updates to existing pavement markings, the addition of delineators, and the reconstruction of driveway approaches. Safety measures also saw an uptick with the installation of new guardrails at selected locales, ensuring that travelers can navigate this scenic byway with an added layer of protection.
