Aurora Streets Artificially ‘Greened Up’/Aspen-Pitkin County Airport Reopens/Westminster Park-n-Ride Relocates

Synthetic Materials Help
Aurora ‘Green’ Its Streets

In an effort to save water and maintenance costs, the city of Aurora subcontracted with Academy Sports Turf in Denver to install 45,000 sq ft of synthetic turf along selected city streets.

The experimental pilot project began last fall with turf installation in the street medians along Mississippi Avenue between Potomac and Peoria and along Abilene between Alameda and Mississippi.

Aurora officials say the benefits for the city include fewer man-hours of maintenance, lower fuel costs and reduced pollution, as well as the creation of a year-round, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
Reopens to Flight Traffic

Pitkin County's Sardy Field reopened in June following a 60-day closure to improve runway and operational safety.

The $12.7-million project removed and replaced the deteriorating 7,000-ft runway with new asphalt pavement. Additional construction included:

• Paving existing 20-ft shoulders to improve snow removal;

• Grading the runway’s west-side safety area;

• Replacing decades-old drainage pipe under the north end of the runway;

• Installing conduit for a future runway sensor system that will provide pavement temperature data and de-icing requirements for improved winter operations.

To meet the schedule, contractor Kiewit Western Co. employed approximately 125 people, including subcontractors. Crews worked around the clock, logging more than 50,000 man-hours without an accident.

During the last 59 days, crews paved with 40,000 tons of asphalt; moved 60,000 cu yd of dirt; installed 3,800 ln ft of drainage pipe; and raised more than 120 runway lights and 17 runway signs.

In the last week, crews completed final tasks such as seeding and earthwork. Later this fall, the contractor will groove and seal the runway surface. These horizontal grooves will reduce the potential for aircraft hydroplaning and improve drainage and safety.

CDOT Starts $5.4M Paving
Project at Eisenhower Tunnel

The Colorado Department of Transportation began rotomilling and paving in early June on eastbound Interstate 70 from the Dillon Reservoir Overlook to the west portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Asphalt Paving Co. of Golden is the contractor for the $5.4-million project, expected to end by late September.

The project also includes guardrail replacement, minor bridge repair and minor shoulder improvements, erosion control and culvert pipe work, striping and seeding and mulch.

Church Ranch Park-n-Ride,
Bus Ramps Open in Westminster

The Regional Transportation District, city of Westminster and 36 Commuting Solutions opened in mid-June the newly relocated park-n-Ride and bus ramps at U.S. Highway 36 and Church Ranch Boulevard.

The new park-n-Ride and ramp placements are the next step in the U.S. 36 Phase 1 Transit Improvements, expected to shave 10 to 15 minutes off transit commute times between Denver and Boulder by 2010.

This is also the site of the future Bus Rapid Transit and Northwest Rail stations that will be built as part of RTD’s FasTracks build-out.

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