Next Construction Phase Set to Start on U.S. 287

Another segment of "Ports-to-Plains" route being upgraded

By Bob Wilson

CDOT

March 26, 2004

Operations move into high gear next week on the 9.2-mile reconstruction of U.S. 287 in the Wiley area. Work includes removal of the asphalt surface, concrete paving, upgrading the bridge decks and approaches, embankment work, new guardrails, seeding, mulching, signing and striping.

The project zone runs begins just north of the U.S. 50 junction (milepost 86), and continues north to the Prowers/Kiowa county line (milepost 95.2).

A pilot car begins alternating one lane of traffic through the project zone on Wednesday, March 24. Traffic stops up to a maximum of 30 minutes should be expected between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph.

Concrete paving operations are scheduled to begin on Monday, April 12, and will continue through June. When traffic is reduced to one lane, oversized vehicles - wider than 14 feet – will be restricted from traveling U.S. 287 through the project zone.

"Pilot car operations may limit the access to some of the county roads but it’s temporary and we’ll do what we can to limit any inconvenience," said CDOT Project Engineer Tom Bronniman. "We are asking drivers to please be patient as we reconstruct the highway. It’ll be a nice, much improved and new facility when it’s completed."

Drivers will be able to get up-to-date construction information by tuning their radios to 1610 AM. Anticipated delay times and other project information will be broadcast, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Work began in October 2003 but there have been minimal impacts to traffic. During that time, retaining walls have been built, a majority of the culvert pipes have been installed, and a large (three cell) concrete box culvert is 50 percent complete. Castle Rock Construction of Castle Rock, Colorado, is the contractor for the $8.8 million project. It is scheduled for completion in October 2004

"The reconstruction of U.S. 287 is very important to the transportation system in eastern Colorado as well as the nation," said CDOT Resident Engineer Sasan Delshad. "This 9.2-mile upgrade continues CDOT’s goal of upgrading this vital transportation corridor."

U.S. 287 between the Oklahoma border and Denver is Colorado’s Ports to Plains route. Concrete reconstruction of the highway is of primary importance due to its current and future use as a major truck route, its connection with the Mexico border and its potential to attract and serve markets associated with NAFTA and international trade.

As one of the state’s 28 strategic projects, U.S. 287 also is considered a high-priority for accelerated construction between Campo and Hugo. Colorado voters passed Referendum A in 1999, allowing CDOT to issue Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN’s bonds) to speed up completion of the strategic projects. The program is funded by several sources in addition to bonding. The U.S. 287 Corridor through CDOT’s Region Two is approximately 72 percent complete.