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I-70 repairs begin in Glenwood Canyon

Aspen Times staff report

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Repairs to Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon have begun, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Flatiron Construction Corp. of Longmont is the contractor for the $860,000 repair job. To expedite the work, the contract includes a $5,000 per day incentive for early completion – before the established May 15 finish date ($5,000 will be deducted for each day the work runs past that date), according to CDOT. Flatiron can earn up to an additional $31,000 by finishing early.

The repair work is taking place between mile markers 124 and 125, just west of the Hanging Lake Tunnel. The work will involve bridge deck and bridge wall/rail repairs (including 150 feet of new steel bridge rail); guardrail and concrete median repairs; removal and replacement of 690 square feet of concrete retaining walls; straightening of steel bridge girders; some lighting and electrical repairs; and repairs to the bike trail below. Finally, the contractor will use approximately 500 tons of base material on the roadway, as well as 400 tons of patching asphalt to repair the surface of the interstate.



Travel on I-70 is currently limited to one lane in each direction, but motorists may encounter occasional traffic stops, according to CDOT. Work will be done during the day, Monday through Saturday. The speed limit has been reduced from 50 to 40 mph in the work zone and a 14-foot vehicle width restriction is in place.

While the Glenwood Canyon bike path should open sometime in April, the section between the Shoshone power plant and Hanging Lake rest area will remain closed for safety until the project is completed in May, CDOT said.



A March 8 rockslide closed all four lanes of the interstate, blocking travel in both directions. CDOT got two lanes reopened on the afternoon of March 11. The total cost of dealing with the rockslide, including the emergency repairs and cleanup, and design work for the project that has now begun, has yet to be determined.


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