ECCV Announces Partners in Water Pipeline/Major T-REX Work Begins on University Boulevard/Final Widening Project Resumes on Berthoud Pass

The South Metro Water Supply Authority will participate in the East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District's planned Northern Pipeline, part of the H2'06 project that will supply renewable water to the southeast metro area.

The East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District announced in early spring that the South Metro Water Supply Authority has agreed to participate in ECCV's Northern Pipeline.

ECCV's Northern Project includes the Northern Pipeline, pump stations and a treatment plant to serve its customers' water needs for the future.

In 2006 the Northern Water Project - named H2'06 - will supply renewable water to the southeast metro communities that currently rely on nonrenewable groundwater.

The source of this water is the South Platte River. Water will be taken from the river near the Adams-Weld County border and injected into the Beebe Draw, a shallow aquifer system near Barr Lake.

The addition of new participants in the Northern Project will allow ECCV to increase the planned pipeline size from 42 in. to 48 in. The SMWSA will pay around $9.5 million total for its capacity in the pipeline. The overall cost of the Northern Pipeline is estimated at $67 million.

Major Work Begins on University Boulevard

Crews installed drainage lines and shifted traffic on University Boulevard in early April as part of the Transportation Expansion Project - specifically, the reconstruction of the University Boulevard/I-25 interchange.

The interchange is being rebuilt as a Single Point Urban Interchange, replacing the old diamond and cloverlead ramp configuration. The SPUI will use a single bank of lights under I-25 to increase traffic flow by providing more time for traffic to move through the intersection.

The new configuration will be similar to the existing one at the Santa Fe Drive/Belleview Avenue interchange.

The $1.67 billion T-REX project - approved by voters statewide - includes highway widening, drainage, bridge and interchange improvements along 17 miles of I-25 and I-225, and a 19-mile extension of the region's light rail transit.

CDOT Begins Work on New 120th Avenue Bridge Over I-25

Construction began the westbound portion of the new 120th Avenue bridge over Interstate 25 with the installation in April of 16 concrete box girders.

The bridge work is part of the project that replaces the 120th bridge over the interstate. The new bridge will be approximately 70 ft wider and 50 ft longer than the current bridge. The additional width allows the bridge to accommodate three through-lanes and two left turn lanes onto I-15 in each direction of 120th Avenue.

The project also includes new retaining walls, extends the acceleration lane from the RTD Park-n-Ride to the southbound I-25 on-ramp, adds wide sidewalks, replaces the traffic signals at the on- and off-ramps and improves drainage.

Jalisco International Inc. is the contractor for the $13.2 million project. The 120th Avenue portion will be completed by November; the entire project will be finished by July 2006.

Final Widening Project Set to Resume on Berthoud Pass

The second season of work has begun to widen the final two-mile segment of U.S. 40 on the east side of Berthoud Pass.

This year's construction includes adding a climbing lane to the existing two-lane highway, shoulder widening, new retaining walls and grubbing and clearing operations. A large-animal crossing will also be placed under the highway.

On-road construction will continue through mid-November. It will be suspended during the Memorial, Independence and Labor Day weekends. Work that does not impact traffic will continue during the winter, through mid-April 2006.

Lawrence Construction Co. of Littleton is the contractor for the $15.6 million project. The entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2006.

The widening of Berthoud Pass was identified as one of Colorado's highest priority projects in 1996, when CDOT's transportation commission established its statewide list of 28 strategic transportation projects.

I-70 Improvement Project Set to Start in Georgetown Area

CDOT is replacing concrete median barriers along Interstate 70 on Georgetown Hill.

The operations mark the start of an extensive improvement project between the Bakerville area and Empire Junction (U.S. 40) that includes rotomilling and asphalt paving, installation of new guardrails, wire rope safety fencing, bridge rails and striping. Work will also include replacement of bridge expansion joints and culvert repairs.

Rotomilling and paving began in mid-May.

Kiewit Western Co. of Littleton is the contractor for the $5.2 million project, scheduled for completion in September.

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