Editor’s note: This article was updated clarifying the speed limit reduction hours for the Red Dirt Hill project.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has several construction projects planned for U.S. Highway 40 this summer that could impact your daily commute or summer travel plans. By staying informed, drivers can plan ahead and learn what to expect.

Resurfacing work to take place in Winter Park

Resurfacing work will take place on approximately three miles of U.S. 40 from mile point 229, near Vasquez Road, to mile point 234, near Winter Park Drive. This construction began on May 12 and is scheduled to continue until October.

Work will include milling old asphalt, paving with new asphalt, guardrail replacement and the removal and installation of Americans with Disabilities Act ramps on the following locations: Blaze Resorts, Village Drive, Old Town Drive and Winter Park Drive.

This project also includes additional work of bridge joint repairs on the bridge near Tabernash.

Once completed, this project will bring numerous benefits to the area. The new asphalt will add years of life to the highway, provide a smoother road surface and improve the durability of the roadway by increasing resistance to road damage and ruts. The newly installed guardrail will be 31 inches high, to meet new safety standard requirements, and will help wayward vehicles remain on the road.

Benefits also include the installation of five ADA compliant curb ramps at three locations, which will be constructed in compliance with accessibility guidelines.

In the section between mile post 229 and 234, motorists can expect lane closures and a speed reduction to 40 mph.

From mid-June to mid-July, motorists can expect one-lane alternating traffic with up to 20-minute delays and 12-foot width restrictions while crews work on bridge repairs near Tabernash.

Project construction costs are $4.8 million, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Safety improvements on Red Dirt Hill between Granby and Tabernash

A section of U.S. 40 between Granby and Tabernash, known as Red Dirt Hill, will be undergoing safety improvements which could cause delays to drivers. Construction began on May 12 and is expected to be completed by late October.

The work by CDOT will include asphalt resurfacing, shoulder widening, barrier and guardrail installation, new signage, striping and culvert and drainage work.

On May 12 and 13 drivers may encounter temporary traffic holds for striping operations as crews prepared the work zone for construction. Drivers should anticipate delays up to 20 minutes. Once the traffic pattern is switched, two-way traffic will be maintained during most of the project, according to CDOT.

Jill Haga, the public information officer for this project, said that by Wednesday, May 14, crews should have one lane of traffic in each direction set up. The speed limit in the construction zone will be reduced to 45 mph in the work zone during all hours.

During shoulder widening, two-way traffic will be maintained, while paving and striping operations may have alternating lane closures and delays during working hours.

Once competed, CDOT stated that this project will improve safety and “quality of the driving experience.” The project includes updating striping and guardrails, which will reduce incidences of serious crashes, according to CDOT.

By building wider shoulders, CDOT said that this will improve safety by providing a larger recoverable area on the side of the roadway and reducing the potential of crashes from vehicles veering off the main roadway. The culvert improvements will enable the section of road to accommodate high accumulations of rainfall, lower flooding risks and overall maintain safe driving conditions.

Road resurfacing in Empire

In Clear Creek County, there will be road resurfacing of both directions of Highway 40 from the I-70/U.S. 40 junction at mile point 258.3 to about one mile east of “Big Bend” and Berthoud Falls at mile point 252.

This project includes replacing and cleaning inlets and culverts, fixing or replacing guardrails, signing and striping.

While construction is taking place, drivers should expect daytime and nighttime single-lane closures during the week and a speed limit reduction to 55 mph in the work zone.

The Empire project is estimated to cost $10 million and last until December.

Project benefits include pedestrian safety improvements, a smoother roadway and drainage improvements that will reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

To get the most up-to-date travel information, visit COTrip.org.