Travelers using Colorado Highway 82 can expect summer traffic impacts through Snowmass Canyon, with delays expected to wax and wane throughout the season.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is implementing a multi-month project targeting bridge expansion joints, asphalt, guardrail replacement, striping, and ADA-compliant curb ramps from mile markers 26 to 33 (around Woody Creek to Snowmass Conoco). Start a construction project. — starts May 13th and runs through October.
Under the project schedule, Elam Construction, which is contracted with CDOT, will work anywhere on the 7-mile property Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDOT planned the construction in phases to concentrate the greatest traffic impacts ahead of the July 4th holiday.
The first wave of construction will target guardrail and ADA improvements to the Snowmass Creek-Watson Divide and Aspen Village roads.
Construction will begin on May 13 and will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction, resulting in 15-minute delays. To address peak traffic impacts, all eastbound lanes of Highway 82 will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and all westbound lanes of Highway 82 will be open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The next phase of the project will focus on the most intensive part of the project: bridge work at six locations. Travelers should be prepared for 24/7 single lane closures in both directions and delays of up to 40 minutes to get through the canyon.
Bridge work and 24/7 lane closures during this period must begin in late May or early June and be finished by July 4, the peak of Aspen’s summer activity.
“We really appreciate everyone’s patience. Bridge work needs to be completed by July 4,” said Elise Thatcher, CDOT’s Region 3 communications manager. “We want to make sure these impacts don’t spill over into the tourist season.”
Once the bridge work is complete, Elam Construction will begin resurfacing work and complete the project.
At least one lane will always be open for emergency vehicles. CDOT said it’s up to them which route the vehicles take.
The entire project, excluding equipment removal and traffic impacts, is expected to be completed in October.
RFV readiness
Pitkin County Public Works Director Brian Pettet said his team is preparing for increased impacts to county roads surrounding the construction area.
“We anticipate that people will use county roads as unofficial detours,” he said. “When Highway 82 is closed, people tend to look for the path of least resistance.
Public Works is completing maintenance work on Watson Divide, East Sopris Creek, and Upper and Lower River Roads on schedule to prepare for expected increased traffic.
They will be monitoring traffic on the road with the help of the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Pettet said the county worked with CDOT to design the construction schedule and acknowledged there is no perfect time to implement lane closures on Highway 82.
“We believe this schedule allows us to complete the work in the least amount of time with the least amount of impact on the public,” he said.
Two other construction projects are scheduled for county roads this summer: the Sopris Creek Road culvert project and the Snowmass Creek Road chip-and-seal surfacing project to minimize traffic impacts. He said he is working on a schedule.
“We don’t want competing projects for people coming and going to Aspen,” he said.
For the Roaring Fork Transit Authority, riders will be notified of construction delays and schedule impacts through a service alert system. The schedule will not change, but passengers will be able to live track the bus and know the estimated time of arrival. Riders can sign up with their own account or through his myrfta.com..
“RFTA is committed to deploying backup buses strategically to reduce the impact construction projects have on our services and passengers during the project period,” RFTA Communications Manager Jamie Tatsuno said in an email. ” he said. “To maintain the reliability of departures from Aspen and Glenwood Springs during this period, overall travel times and scheduled schedules will remain unchanged.”
Pettet advises the public to avoid peak traffic hours if possible, especially during the bridge construction portion of the project.
Since CDOT is in charge of Highway 82, the construction project is completely within its budget.