On Sept. 2, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Midwest Rockfall, Inc. began a rockfall mitigation project in Bear Creek Canyon, along Colorado Highway 74 between Morrison and Idledale. Work will involve weekday full closures on CO 74 between Morrison and Idledale from Mile Point 16.1 to MP 18.
The project will enhance safety for motorists and cyclists along CO 74 with a goal of preventing roadway damage or unexpected closures caused by a natural rockslide. View a detour map and get additional details on the CDOT rockfall mitigation project webpage.
What work will be done?
Crews will conduct rock scaling operations, install anchored wire mesh and other rock reinforcement, and use polyurethane injections which is an innovative technology applied to fill the void between loose rocks.
Due to the nature of rockfall mitigation, full closures must occur for the safety of the traveling public. This part of CO 74 is a narrow canyon with limited areas for crews to maneuver equipment and the rock scaling operations may result in some rockfall on the roadway, which is why full closures are necessary during work hours.
Project Facts
Proposed Work Schedule
- Work is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and continue through Feb. 2021. However, these operations are weather and temperature dependent, and this schedule could change.
- The full closures will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8 and occur during working hours, Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No weekend work or closures are anticipated.