JEFFERSON COUNTY — On Sept. 2, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Midwest Rockfall, Inc. will begin a rockfall mitigation project in Bear Creek Canyon, which is along Colorado Highway 74 between Morrison and Idledale. Work will involve week day full closures on CO 74 from Mile Point 16.1 to MP 18 beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8. The week day full closures will be in place during working hours (listed below) through February 2021. 

The project will enhance safety for motorists and cyclists along CO 74 with a goal of preventing roadway damage or unexpected closures caused by a natural rockslide. Crews will conduct rock scaling operations, install anchored wire mesh and other rock reinforcement, and use polyurethane resin (PUR) injections which is an innovative technology applied to fill the void between loose rocks. The PUR injections help preserve the natural contours and shapes of the canyon by acting as a “glue” to stabilize failing rock slopes.

Due to the nature of rockfall mitigation, full closures must occur for the safety of the traveling public. This part of CO 74 is a narrow canyon with limited areas for crews to maneuver equipment and the rock scaling operations may result in some rockfall on the roadway, which is why full closures are necessary during work hours.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Work is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and continue through Feb. 2021. However, these operations are weather and temperature dependent, and this schedule could change. 

The full closures will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8 and occur during working hours, Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No weekend work or closures are anticipated. 

TRAVEL & RECREATION IMPACTS

• On Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Thursday, Sept. 3, crews will place traffic in a single-lane configuration on CO 74 with flaggers on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This work is for the project team to set up the site for the upcoming full closures. Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

• Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, there will be full closures of CO 74 between Morrison and Idedale (MP 16.1 -18) in place during working hours.

• Typical working hours will be 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No weekend work or closures are anticipated. This schedule will remain in effect through Feb. 2021. (weather dependent)

• Motorists are advised to follow the detour signs and seek alternate routes. Interstate 70 is the general detour route for east and westbound motorists. 

• Local traffic on CO 74 can take Parmalee Gulch Rd southbound from Kittredge and use US 285 to connect with C-470, or head northbound via S Grapevine Road from Idledale to connect with I-70. Please note the county roads (Parmalee Gulch and S Grapevine) are for local traffic only. Trucks or large vehicles should detour via I-70. 

• Cyclists are prohibited from riding through the construction zone during the working hours listed above.

• Fishing in the creek below the work site will be “fish at your own risk”

CO 74 Full Closures Detour Map

PROJECT INFORMATION
For additional information about this project, contact the project team:

• Project hotline: 720-572-4476

• Project email: [email protected]

• Project web page: https://www.codot.gov/projects/co-74-rockmitigation-jeffco

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.

• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.

• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

• Be patient!

COVID-19

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews  follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks.  As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely. 

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

~Colorado Department of Transportation