[Gonzopozo]

October 5, 2006

CLEAR CREEK CANYON SAFETY PROJECT SET TO START

JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins rockfall mitigation along U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon next week.

The $867,000 project involves extensive rock scaling and the installation of rockfall fencing, wire mesh and rock reinforcements at three separate locations between State Highway (SH) 119 and the junction of SH 93/58 and U.S. 6 in Golden.

Initial rock scaling operations begin on Monday, October 9, and continue through Friday, October 13. Traveler safety will require one traffic stop of up to 20 minutes on eastbound and westbound U.S. 6 from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginning on Monday, October 16, U.S. 6 will be closed between SH 119 and SH 93/58 to all traffic between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m., to install the fencing, mesh and reinforcements on the canyon walls above the highway. A large crane is required for the installation and, due to its size, the highway will need to be closed to through traffic. Work will continue through Friday, October 20 and, if necessary, will resume the following Monday, October 23, and continue through Friday, October 27.

The two suggested alternate routes during the closure include Interstate 70 to Exit 244 (bottom of Floyd Hill), and east on U.S. 6 about three miles to SH 119. Drivers going east from SH 119 will need to go west on U.S. 6 about 2 ½ miles to U.S. 40, east on U.S. 40 over Floyd Hill and access I-70 at the Beaver Brook interchange. The Central City Parkway via Exit 243 (Hidden Valley) also can be used to access the Central City/Black Hawk area.

Rock scaling is scheduled to resume on Monday, October 30, requiring one traffic stop of up to 20 minutes between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. Work will continue Monday through Friday, until mid-December, weather permitting.

CDOT will continue to provide updates on the project schedule and traffic impacts, as necessary. A toll-free phone line also will be available and updated regularly by the contractor, Hi-Tech Rockfall Construction, Inc. of Forest Grove, OR. Please call 1-888-505-3155 for the latest information.

Recreational traffic will be restricted from using Clear Creek Canyon between Tunnel One and SH 119 during project hours to maintain public safety. This restriction includes bicyclists, hikers and rafters.

For the latest information about this project or other CDOT projects, drivers are encouraged to check the cotrip.org website or call (303) 639-1111 in the Denver area or (877)315-ROAD elsewhere in Colorado.