Editor’s note: Look for an update on the Hanging Lake Tunnel construction in Friday’s Post Independent.

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colorado — With high levels of traffic expected for the Independence Day weekend, there are a few places where folks can expect a holdup on the eastern parts of the county.

Anyone heading into or out of Carbondale can expect a small wait as the Roaring Fork Bridge on Highway 133 construction continues. Getting in to town hasn’t been that bad, but getting out can be somewhat of a hassle.

On June 28, Colorado Department of Transportation crews rerouted traffic onto the new section of bridge and began work on the existing structure. According to CDOT spokeswoman Nancy Shanks, it will take about two weeks for crews to resurface that section of bridge. After reconstruction of the old bridge deck is complete the two separate bridges will be tied together.

“It’s on time and within budget, so it’s looking good,” Shanks said. “We’re still looking at completion in fall of 2008.”

The project, which will widen the bridge to four lanes from two, is about 70 percent complete as of Wednesday afternoon and is slightly ahead of schedule, according to Shanks. The project also includes, a second turn lane on westbound highway 82 at the intersection with highway 133, replacing a traffic signal at this intersection, constructing a retaining wall at the bridge widening, and drainage improvements.

A project that will clog the Interstate 70 corridor will be at the No Name Tunnel where crews continue rehabilitation of the tunnel’s interior.

“Crews will not be working during the holiday weekend,” Shanks said. “They will stop work on Thursday, as most CDOT projects have restrictions from being on the road that day.”

Despite crews not being on the road this weekend, Shanks said the No Name Tunnel will still be restricted to one lane in either direction due to equipment and materials.

“The single lane closures through the tunnel won’t change,” Shanks said.

Motorists will experience single lane closures through October. The $2.7 million project involves removal of porcelain painted metal tunnel lining, repair of existing cracks if necessary, and the replacement of the removed lining with new ceramic tiles.

And bicyclists wanting to enjoy the splendor of the Glenwood Canyon bike path will also have to wait, but not due to construction. High water levels in the Colorado River keep the path closed. As of Wednesday there was still six to eight inches of standing water covering an approximate 100-foot section of the path. However, CDOT crews are monitoring the path on a daily basis and will open it as soon as possible, hopefully before the holiday weekend, Shanks said.

“They are watching it every day and hoping the river will go down,” Shanks said.

Shanks said that people planning on riding the path can check www.cotrip.org and check under the “restrictions section.” When the bike path is open, it will not be listed under that section.

Contact John Gardner: 384-9114
jgardner@postindependent.com

Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO