Road rehabilitation projects can extend the service life of aging transportation assets while addressing pavement deterioration and drainage needs. A resurfacing project on Colorado Highway 46 in Gilpin and Jefferson counties is scheduled to address 6.6 miles of the two-lane route, with Martin Marietta serving as the contract partner for the work.
The project extends from the Colorado Highway 119 junction at Mile Point 0 to Mile Point 6.61 at the Jefferson County line near Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Construction includes milling the existing pavement and placing two inches of new asphalt. Crews will also install new lane markings and wayfinding signs and clean culverts to improve stormwater drainage.
The highway was originally constructed in the mid-1980s and has received periodic maintenance and partial resurfacing over the years. The current project will address the full project length.
Work is scheduled primarily during daylight hours Monday through Friday, although some overnight operations are expected. Crews will progress from east to west.
Construction is expected to continue for approximately eight weeks, with completion planned by Oct. 31. Motorists can expect single-lane daytime closures of up to one mile, along with traffic holds of up to 10 minutes.
During the fall foliage period from Sept. 15 through Oct. 31, lane closure lengths will be reduced to one-half mile. Temporary disruptions to driveways, business entrances and side-street approaches are also expected during portions of the work.
A 12-foot width restriction will apply throughout the project, and reduced speeds will be posted through work areas. Access to the Blue Grouse Trail and Beaver Trail will remain available.
Bicycle traffic will receive separate traffic-control treatment. Westbound cyclists traveling uphill will be allowed to clear work areas before queued vehicles, while eastbound downhill cyclists will be held until vehicle traffic has passed.
For transportation owners and contractors, the project illustrates the use of pavement rehabilitation, drainage maintenance and traffic management within a relatively constrained two-lane corridor. Maintaining the existing road surface and base can help preserve transportation infrastructure without a full roadway reconstruction.
The project also demonstrates the coordination required when highway construction occurs in a recreational corridor during a period of increased seasonal travel.
