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Rifle road project de-light

Heidi RiceGlenwood Springs, CO Colorado

RIFLE, Colorado – Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse.Beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 13, the traffic lights at the intersection of Airport Road and Highway 13 and the intersection of Interstate 70 at the eastbound ramp at exit 90 and Highway 13 will be changed to stop signs.”There will be a four-way stop at Airport Road and the eastbound ramp of I-70 will have a three-way stop,” said Gary Osier, public relations roundabout coordinator for the city. “Everyone will have to play nice.”During the removal of the traffic signals, there will be different stages of traffic control and diversions, according to Tim Laudick, project manager of Martinez Western Constructors Inc., who are the contractors on the roundabout project.The reconfiguration of the roadway is expected to take one day.”During the removal of the traffic signals, there will be different stages of traffic control and diversions,” Laudick said. “During most of the day, traffic will be controlled at the intersections of Highway 13 and the I-70 westbound ramps, I-70 eastbound ramps and Airport Road using a flagger system.”Some delays of traffic should be expected. The stop signs at the intersections are expected to be in place for the next 30 days.The good news is that the Airport Road roundabout is expected to be completed within the next few weeks – ahead of schedule.On Aug. 17, phase two of the roundabout project will begin and the lanes on Highway 13 will shift from the west side to the east side and south Seventh Street will be closed for seven days, Osier said. Traffic will be detoured from County Road 332 to Megan Avenue (by the professional buildings west of the hospital.)”During the closure on south Seventh Street, we’ll have flaggers directing pedestrians to get across,” Osier said. “But people who live within sight of the intersection will have to go all the way around on south Whiteriver and come back,” Osier said. “It’s a hassle, but in the end, there will be a functional roundabout.”South Seventh Street will open again on Aug. 24 and the roundabout, including the I-70 slip lane, will be fully functional.A closure of the eastbound off ramp is expected beginning Sept. 3, during construction of the I-70 roundabout.Both roundabouts are expected to be completed by this fall.


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