Colorado: Budget juggling to speed highway projects

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

New accounting system doesn’t solve state’s long-term transportation woes

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Highway projects in Colorado will get a boost from a new budgeting regime.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Colorado transportation officials say they will juggle their budgets to accelerate completion of transportation projects and create or sustain more than 10,500 jobs over five years.

Currently, CDOT does not advertise a project until all of the money is “in the bank,” which means the department is saving money for projects over multiple years before construction begins. In addition, some projects take several years to construct, so money often sits unspent when it could be used much sooner.

Under the new program, CDOT will fund multi-year projects based on year of expenditure, rather than saving for the full amount of a project before construction begins. This effort will match project expenditures with available revenues and allow CDOT to allocate an additional $300 million per year over five years to transportation projects over the next five years. (more…)

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Colorado: CDOT eyes automated avalanche blasting system for Berthoud Pass corridor

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A powder avalanche blasts down a hillside near Berthoud Pass, Colorado. Photo courtesy CDOT.

Pilot project to be considered for the Stanley slide path

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A year or so after first talking up the idea of installing an automated avalanche blasting system on Berthoud Pass, the Colorado Department of Transportation is getting ready to hold a public info session to discuss the idea with the public.

At an elevation of 11,307 feet, Berthoud Pass averages about 500 inches of snow per year, and the area has 55 identified slide paths, many of them directly threatening U.S. Highway 40. The most recognized avalanche path, and proposed site of CDOT’s pilot project, is the Stanley Slide area located on US 40 at Mile Post 249.8. (more…)

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Colorado: I-70 repairs will require single-lane closures

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Work to take place Sunday-Thursday nights through October

Colorado travelers can expect some lane closures along I-70 the next few weeks as CDOT repairs the road surface.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Road and bridge work along I-70 will require overnight lanes closures between Vail Pass and Chief Hosa the next few weeks, with scheduled for completion in November. Crews will be crack sealing, as well as paving a two-mile segment through Idaho Springs.

Drivers can expect single lane closures on eastbound or westbound I-70, Sunday through Thursday nights, as follows:

  • Eastbound between Vail Pass and Silverthorne – 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Eastbound through Idaho Springs – 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Westbound through Idaho Springs – 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph through the work zone. Lane closures are a maximum of two miles long and work can alternate between eastbound and westbound I-70, depending on how the project is progressing. Traffic slowing is possible due to the single lane configurations.

“Crack sealing is a preemptive strike against road deterioration because it extends the lifespan of the highway – both the surface and sub-surface,” said CDOT resident engineer Russel Cox.  “It prevents pot holes from developing and that’s a safety enhancement as well. We see it as a lower cost treatment in the short-term that saves money in the long-term.”

A-1 Chipseal Co. of Denver, CO. is the contractor for the $1.6 million project.

Additional information is available by calling the project hotline at 970-344-4664.

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511.  To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including I-70 West, Denver to Glenwood Springs.

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Colorado: Hazard tree removal along major highways

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Roadside logging is under way in the Colorado high country, as the Forest Service partners with CDOT to remove hazard trees along key highways.

Logging to continue into autumn

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Travelers in the Colorado high country may encounter a few delays and lane closures as the Forest Service and CDOT partner to clear beetle-killed trees from along major highways.

“Ensuring these major transportation corridors are clear of dead trees is certainly critical to keeping people safe and traffic flowing,” said Cal Wettstein, Rocky Mountain region incident commander for the Forest Service.

Work has already started along I-70 in Summit County and motorists can expect to see more tree removal along US Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass and State Hwy. 125. The dead trees pose a threat to public safety as they weaken over time and may fall without warning along these popular transportation routes. (more…)

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Colorado: Getting serious about high speed transit

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

More than 150 companies have shown interest in the I-70 corridor.

CDOT to gather technical info on potential advanced guideway system for I-70 mountain corridor

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —As part of a $1.8 million high-speed transit feasibility study, the Colorado Department of Transportation will take a close look at private-sector information on high-speed transit technologies.

The goal is try and determine if there’s a technology to run a high-speed train or some other form of transit from the Front Range to the mountains, and if those technologies can meet  specific performance and operational criteria for an I-70 transit system running between C-470 in Jefferson County and the Eagle County Regional Airport.

“This study is making a critical determination about the potential role a high-speed transit system will play in solving the transportation congestion and safety challenges on the I-70 mountain corridor,” said CDOT’s Mark Imhoff,. “The study will collaborate with high-speed transit technology providers and the financial industry to identify feasible technologies, routes, station locations and funding approaches.” (more…)

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Colorado: ‘Sinkhole’ blocks one lane of eastbound I-70

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

CDOT hopes to repair highway in time for weekend traffic

A sinkhole has closed one lane of eastbound I-70 east of the Twin Tunnels.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Department of Transportation officials said a couple of weakening mine shafts beneath I-70 may have caused a 15-foot hole to open up in the left lane of the highway, just east of the Twin Tunnels.

The left lane of the highway will remain closed while crews work to repair the hole, estimated to be about 14 feet wide. Traffic will be rerouted to the shoulder to allow for two lanes of eastbound traffic.

Biggest pothole ever? CDOT offiicals said mines beneath I-70 may have caused this damage to the highway, in the left lane of eastbound I-70. Photo courtesy CDOT.

No injuries or damage to vehicles was reported, CDOT spokesman Bob Wilson said.

Traffic will be channeled into one lane during the night to enable CDOT crews to begin fulls-cale repairs. Wilson said the lane could be back in full operation by Friday July 20) afternoon.

Get highway updates by calling 511 or via email by visiting www.coloradodot.info and clicking on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including I-70 West, Denver to Glenwood Springs. Updates also are available via Twitter @coloradodot.

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Summit County: 46 trucks, 56,000 tons of sand …

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Snow season is here, and CDOT says it's ready.

It takes a lot to keep Colorado’s highways open during big winter storms

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With a series of winter-like storms forecast to move across Colorado during the next few days, the Colorado Department of Transportation says its ready to tackle the snow.

“We’re ready for this one and ready to battle a lot more snow and ice over the next few months,” said CDOT Deputy Maintenance Superintendent Dave Miller, who oversees the western portion of the Interstate 70 corridor between Idaho Springs and Vail Pass.  “All of our available resources will be up and running to keep the highways open and safe for travel this winter season.” (more…)

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Report details needed I-70 wildlife improvements

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Guidelines to be used for site-specific highway improvement planning

The Eco-Logical report maps and identifies areas where wild animals cross I-70 by combining observational data, including known collisions sites and live animal sightings, with habitat and movement corridor data.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — New underpasses, redesigned culverts, step-pools and other design features could help make I-70 through Summit County friendlier to wildlife and help reduce the number of costly and dangerous animal-vehicle collisions on the busy highway.

In a new study released this month, traffic and wildlife experts identified dozens of spots along the I-70 mountain corridor between Golden and Glenwood Springs that could be retrofitted to benefit wildlife. Specific areas in Summit County that are identified include most of the stream crossings between Vail Pass and the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel, where simple improvements could help improve stream connectivity. (more…)

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Recent highway crashes with wildlife spur warnings

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Autumn often sees spike in dangerous collisions as animals are on the move, searching for food, mates and winter habitat

A recent study along the I-70 corridor shows where collisions with animals are most likely.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —After a series of automobile-moose collisions on local highways culminated with the death of a woman from New Castle last month, wildlife managers and transportation officials warned highway travelers to be extra careful this time of year.

Collisions with wild animals often spike in the autumn as various species are on the move, searching for food and suitable winter habitat, or pursuing mates. Wildlife biologists think mating behavior may have contributed to the deadly accident near Frisco.

“There are roadside signs in the area, and across the state, warning drivers of these wildlife crossing areas,” said Sean Shepherd, Colorado Parks and Wildlife district manager for the area. “A tragedy like this is an unfortunate reminder of how serious collisions with animals can be.” (more…)

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Colorado: Transit & rail advisory group to meet in Steamboat

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A Canadian Pacific Railway freight eastbound over the Stoney Creek Bridge, just within the east end of Glacier Park.

Sept. 9 agenda focusing on freight rail in the state

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A citizen advisory committee formed last winter to help guide policy at the Colorado Department of Transportation Transit and Rail Division will meet Sept. 9 in Steamboat Springs concurrently with the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies. The agenda at the meeting focuses on freight rail. More information and the full agenda is online here.

The committee’s 17 members were appointed by CDOT director Russell George to make recommendations to rail and transit division director Mark Imhoff.

Part of the group’s early mission was to identify the gaps in the state’s transit service, to look at new possibilities for transit and rails and advising on how best to use CDOT’s public transportation funding. (more…)

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