CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE

Contacts: Ashley Mohr – (303) 550-0354

Hayward Baker, Inc. was the winning bidder with a contract amount of $829,748.65. Because CDOT is committed to getting the highway repaired and back open to traffic quickly, there were incentives added to the contract. If the contractor is able to open one lane or both lanes of the highway by August 6, the contractor will receive an additional $5,000 per day for early opening. Conversely, they will be assessed a disincentive of $5,000 each day they highway remains closed past August 6. The total cost of repairs, including traffic control, design, etc. is estimated to be $1.5 million. CDOT began the expedited emergency bidding process for highway repairs after a sinkhole opened up on US 24 over Tennessee Pass on Monday, July 9. After receiving bids for the repairs project, CDOT selected the final contractor based on the lowest bid amount and the amount of time estimated to complete the project.
Repairs are estimated to last one month, with the highway expected to reopen the week of Monday, August 6. At this time, the repairs are scheduled to be completed ahead of when the USA Pro Challenge plans to go through the area, barring any changes based on weather, natural disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances.
To repair the sinkhole and the highway, crews will be constructing a grout containment barrier on the north and south sides of the highway to contain the fill zone. Then, a thinner grout material will be poured into the void followed by a pressurized grout to fill any remaining voids, which will also compress the existing materials underneath the highway to strengthen the roadway platform. Once the void has been stabilized, crews will mill and pave a three inch layer of asphalt to create a seamless transition for motorists over the former sinkhole site.
All motorists, including those who live locally, must continue to use State Highway 91 as a detour throughout repairs. Access to local businesses and roadways remains possible, and travelers hoping to visit Camp Hale, which is just south of Red Cliff, will be able to do so.
CDOT continues to work with state historians and is referencing its archives to build a full history of the tunnel and roadway.
To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

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