News From
The Colorado Department
of Transportation

December 14, 2011

GEORGETOWN — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Georgetown commemorated the completion of the town’s first roundabout today, providing improved traffic flow during periods of high volume in the summer and winter. 

Construction of the single lane roundabout, at the 15^th Street/Argentine Street intersection, just south of the Georgetown Interchange on Interstate 70, began with utility work in spring 2011.  Work resumed on the project in September, and was completed in late November.  

“We were able to complete this project on-time and about $80,000 under-budget and much of that was due to a good partnership with Georgetown,” said Regional Transportation Director Tony DeVito.  “A good example of that partnership was how we worked together to get an early start on the utility work, allowing us to complete the project on-time, even though we suspended construction during the summer, allowing the surrounding streets to be kept open during the busy tourist season.”

New fiber optic was installed as part of the project, providing the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office with live CDOT camera feeds for monitoring area highways. 

The old bus shelter also was removed as part of the project and relocated to a safer location on Argentine Street.  

“The roundabout significantly improves safety at this busy intersection,” added DeVito, “not just for vehicles but for pedestrians as well since the crossing has been enhanced.   It’ll also allow emergency vehicles to move unimpeded when responding to incidents on I-70.”

Concrete Express, Inc. of Denver was the project contractor.

        FASTER – Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – funded $1.1 million of the $1.5 million project.   Financed by vehicle registration fees, FASTER safety funds are used for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance projects the Colorado Transportation Commission, a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street.  Additional information is accessible at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.  

        The remaining $400,000 was funded by Hot Spots, which finances location-specific traffic and safety improvements.  These projects are generally smaller, with minor impacts on capacity or the environment.  Work elements include environmental, design, utilities, right-of-way, and construction.

News From
The Colorado Department
of Transportation

November 22, 2011

        DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins three seasonal programs over the Thanksgiving holiday to help keep traffic moving and maintain safety along the Interstate 70 West corridor.

        Heavy Tow is a program designed to promptly clear large trucks from the highway.  United States Auto Club is providing standby heavy wreckers this winter at strategic locations on I-70 between Ward Road in Wheat Ridge and Dotsero in Eagle County.  Up to five wreckers can be dispatched quickly to move commercial vehicles from traffic lanes to a safe location during weekends and holidays.

        The fifth season of Heavy Tow coverage begins on Wednesday, November 23, (no Thanksgiving Day coverage) and resumes on Friday, November 25 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.), with operations then continuing each weekend through Sunday, April 8, 2012.  Operations typically run on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Other coverage days include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 16) and President’s Day (Monday, February 20).  CDOT may also implement the program at other times due to adverse weather or other circumstances.

        “Along with our other I-70 programs, Heavy Tow achieves its primary goal – to keep traffic safely moving along this busy corridor,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Tony DeVito.  “We started this program almost four years ago, when it used to take almost an hour to reopen a lane blocked by a semi or other large truck.  With the implementation of Heavy Tow, we’ve now reduced the opening time to an average of 22 minutes.”

        During the 2010/2011 winter season, Heavy Tow relocated 193 commercial vehicles and cleared lanes 214 times.*

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program, which researches problem areas affecting highways, estimates a roadway loses 51% of its capacity when one of three lanes are blocked; 65% of capacity when one of two lanes are blocked.

        By law, commercial vehicles are required to carry chains for travel on I-70 between Dotsero (mile 133) and the Morrison exit (#259) from September 1 through May 31.  To help truckers comply, CDOT is implementing its Chain Assistance program for the fourth year.  When the chain law is in effect, it allows drivers to purchase chains and chain-up service when approved vendors are present at any one of the 21 chain stations along I-70 between Dotsero and Denver West Boulevard.**   CDOT representatives frequently visit the stations when assistance is taking place, inspecting and assuring quality service is being provided.  It also is scheduled to begin this week, if necessary, and continue, as needed, through the winter.

        The Courtesy Patrol program begins on Friday, November 25.  Drivers of passenger and other smaller vehicles are provided free roadside assistance for services such as flat tires, fuel or water transfer, jump starts, short-distance towing, accident scene protection and minor mechanical assistance.  Three pickups and a tow truck patrol I-70 between the top of Floyd Hill and Vail, looking for disabled vehicles.  Truck personnel also respond to requests from the Colorado State Patrol, local police or the Eisenhower Tunnel.

        Courtesy Patrol operates primarily on weekends (Saturdays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m./Sundays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.), including the holiday weekends of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day.  Following the holidays, patrols will run every weekend through April 1, 2012.

“These programs have been effective at reducing congestion and delay times on the I-70 Corridor,” added DeVito.  “But we’re also reminding drivers to do their part by keeping their vehicles ready for winter travel, including having adequate tire traction, carrying an emergency kit with items like water, food, blankets, a shovel and ice scraper.  Also, be prepared by knowing what road conditions to expect.” 

Road, weather and additional traveler information is available at www.cotrip.org, by calling 511 or via e-mail.  For e-mail updates, 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 subscription items, including I-70 West, Denver to Glenwood Springs.

*Summary of I-70 Events between Vail Pass and Morrison Road Interchange: September 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011

**I-70 West Chain Stations:  11 eastbound - at milepost 178, 183, 184 (shoulder), 187 (shoulder), 195, 203 (scenic area), 205, 219, 228, 241 and 251.  10 westbound - at mileposts 263, 260, 254 (Buffalo Overlook), 228, 223, 221, 219, 213 (brake check area) and 197 (scenic area) and 179.