Resident Update – Posted: Thu 8/24/2017 12:31 PM
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
US 34 to Close October 2
Winter full closure brings construction to the home stretch. Colorado Department of Transportation and Kiewit Infrastructure Co. will continue construction in the Big Thompson Canyon this winter with a full closure of US 34. Canyon residents will be issued access permits for travel at specified times each day.
As October nears, CDOT and Kiewit are working to finalize all the logistics of this large-scale closure, but there are some details that the local communities can plan for at this time.
Public meetings and permit distribution opportunities will be held Monday, Sept. 11, at Estes Park High School and Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Namaqua Elementary School in Loveland where more information will be available about upcoming work and the closure. Both meetings will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Information will also be posted to the project website in early September.
• The canyon will close from just east of mile point 66 (just east of Mall Road) to mile point 83 (the Dam Store) to through traffic on Monday, Oct. 2, and will re-open (weather dependent) just prior to the Memorial Day weekend 2018. During this closure, there will be several work zones spread out over about 12 miles of the canyon. As work progresses, sections of the road will be reopened, providing more flexible access to canyon residents.
• The work near the landslide at approximately mile points 72 to 74 (just west of Waltonia) will require a full closure for several months, with no access, even during the allowed travel times. Canyon residents headed to Estes Park will need to use CR 43, and all others without permits (including oversized vehicles) will need to use the US 36 detour. Once the work in this area is complete, canyon residents will be able to travel through this section of US 34 during the allowed travel times.
• During the closure, residents and property owners in the canyon will be allowed access with their permit each day from 6 to 8:30 a.m. and again from 4 to 7 p.m. (Monday – Thursday). Friday through Sunday, the afternoon open hours will be extended to 4 to 8 p.m. Additional information regarding comments from the last round of public meetings will be released as it is finalized, and at the upcoming public meetings.
• Permits will be distributed to canyon residents (all properties off of US 34 from the Dam Store to Mall Road, and on County Road 43 to Glen Haven). These permits, which will be broken up into different areas based on property location in the canyon, will be distributed at upcoming public meetings and during specified office hours. More information on these dates, times and locations will be released in the coming days.
• CDOT understands that canyon residents living within the closure boundaries will need access at times other than the morning and afternoon openings. With this in mind, the team has developed a plan to provide a Resident Scheduling Service (RSS). Separate from the permitting process, the RSS service will provide coordinated access in and out of the canyon, outside of the morning and afternoon openings, for residents living within the closure area. Step-by-step instructions for this service will be explained at the September public meetings.
• County Road 43 residents will be provided permits, but will not qualify for the Resident Scheduling Service because they do not live within the closure limits. These residents will always have access in and out of their home on CR 43 to US 36. Permits will be used to access to US 34 directly into Loveland during regular morning and night openings.
• Due to the significant volume of commuters, CDOT determined through careful analysis that they will be unable to provide permits to commuters during this closure.
• When there are additional opportunities to open the canyon to resident travel or public travel, announcements will be made via the project website, email and the hotline recording.
• All drivers can plan to access the canyon on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November, 23) and again from Saturday, Dec. 23, until Tuesday, Jan. 2. Pilot cars will direct traffic through the work areas, but permits will not be necessary.
• Emergency responders, snow removal and Thompson Valley and Estes Park school buses will continue to receive priority access during the closure.
• CDOT is also working with the post offices, parcel delivery companies, and the various service providers that need to access the canyon to provide coordinated access during the full closure.
• Although the canyon will open prior to the Memorial Day weekend in 2018, there will still be traffic impacts for work such as asphalt paving and guardrail installation throughout the summer. Additional river restoration work, work on access bridges and other off-corridor work that has less impact on US 34 traffic will likely continue into the fall and winter of 2018.
This information and more information will be posted to the project webpage as it is made available.
US34 Resident Update – Posted: Fri 9/22/2017 12:03 PM
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
• RSS requests will open on the website and phone lines on Wednesday, Sept. 27. A video will be emailed out and posted to the website that day with step by step website form instructions as well as call in instructions. Confirmation of these requests will be sent to you at least 24 hours in advance of the requested departure.
• Information on the specific closure limits will also be emailed out on Wednesday, Sept. 27. As we mobilize equipment and supplies for the work, it may take a few weeks to set up each work area. During this time we will only close the road where we are able to work. Specifics on this phasing will be available next week, but please understand that the closure limits may be fluid for the first few weeks. All final closure details will be communicated at this time.
• Permits are still available! If you are still in need of a permit, please attend these open office hours at the Kiewit Offices (2035 N. County Road 29 in West Loveland):
• Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. – Noon
• Sept. 28 from 4 – 7 p.m.
• If you are not available at these times, please call 970-667-1005 or email infoUS34@kiewit.com to schedule an appointment outside of these office hours.
For more information on the improvements this project is making in the Big Thompson Canyon, click here to view a document that shows the section-by-section resiliency measures being implemented.
US 34 Resident Update: Sent Wed 9/27/2017 4:37 PM
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
Temporary Closure Limits: When US 34 closes Monday at 8:30 a.m., it will initially be closed from approximately mile point 72 to mile point 80 (near the Round Mountain Trailhead/Cedar Cove). Single lane closures will be in place between mile point 80 (Round Mountain Trailhead/Cedar Cove) and 83 (Dam Store). On October 16 at 8:30 a.m., the closure limits will extend further east to mile point 83 and in early November, the closure will extend further west to approximately mile point 67. Until that time, the western and eastern ends of the canyon will remain open to all traffic.
To View this graphic (Map with mile markers and closure dates) in a larger form, please click here.
• On October 3, pilot cars will leave from the County Road 43 and US 34 intersection as (yellow lines below) well as the Cedar Cove driveway (red lines below, where the gate was last year). Pilot cars will leave from each end approximately every 15 minutes.
• If you live west of Drake on US 34, you will need to exit your property and drive down to the CR 43/US 34 intersection to meet the queue. Regular rules of the road exist on US 34 between the CR 43 intersection and Waltonia Road during the open hours (black arrow).
• If you live off of County Road 43, you will meet the queue at the US 34 intersection (yellow line).
• If you live off of US 34 between the CR 43/US 34 intersection and Cedar Cove, please wait at your highway access and only leave when the queue passes in your desired direction. Never pull out into an active pilot zone without an escort vehicle. Always join the end of the pilot line.
• RSS requests are now open on the website and phone lines, but not yet 24/7. Please watch the video on this form to learn how to use the web form. If you call, we will return your call as soon as possible. 24/7 answering will begin soon. Confirmation on all requests will be sent out at least 24 hours in advance. Please remember that RSS is only open for yellow, blue, and orange permits right now.
• Permits are still available! If you are still in need of a permit, please attend these open office hours at the Kiewit Offices (2035 N. County Road 29 in West Loveland): • Sept. 28 from 4 – 7 p.m.
• If you are not available at this time, please call 970-667-1005 or email infoUS34@kiewit.com to schedule an appointment outside of these office hours.
• Mail delivery will remain the same as it was during the last full closure for everyone with a Loveland address. Beginning October 16th, mail will be available at cluster mail boxes just west of the Big Thompson Elementary School. For those with Drake and Estes Park address west of the landslide, mailboxes will be delivered as normal for now, with a cluster box installed near Rock Canyon Road later on.
• For more information on the improvements this project is making in the Big Thompson Canyon, click here to view a document that shows the section-by-section resiliency measures being implemented.
US 34 Resident Update
Sent Mon 10/9/2017 5:27 PM
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
As equipment arrives onsite and right of way areas open earlier than expected, the opportunity to begin work in the Narrows is now available. Kiewit will begin the work in the Narrows this Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in effort to complete this high impact area as soon as possible.
On October 11 at 8:30 a.m., the closure limits will move from Cedar Cove and move further east to mile point 83 near the Dam store (red line in this graphic). If you live in this area, you will now need to use RSS to travel to and from your home outside of the scheduled open hours beginning on Wednesday.
If you live off of US 34 between the CR 43/US 34 intersection and The Dam Store, please wait at your highway access and only leave when the queue passes in your desired direction. Never pull out into an active pilot zone without an escort vehicle. Always join the end of the pilot line.
Sent: Fri 12/15/2017 11:20 AM
CDOT makes progress on US 34 canyon and plans to open to all traffic for holiday season
The Colorado Department of Transportation and Kiewit Infrastructure Co. will open US 34 for travel between Loveland and County Road 43 (Drake) for access to Estes Park during the holiday season.
US 34 west of Drake remains closed for a two-mile stretch, so motorists on US 34 will use Larimer County Road 43 to travel between Loveland to Estes Park. Through travelers are still encouraged to use US 36 into Estes Park to avoid delays.
US 34 will open to all motorists (with or without residential permits) at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and will remain open until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2. Construction activities are ongoing and many areas continue to have only one passable lane, so pilot cars will navigate motorists through the canyon during the holiday opening. These lane restrictions and the anticipated extra traffic on the road for the holidays could mean delays exceeding one hour, especially on Sunday, Dec. 31. Motorists should plan for extra travel time if they plan to use US 34, and cyclists should plan not to ride in the busy one-lane corridor, for their safety. US 34 west of Drake remains closed for a two mile stretch, so motorists on US 34 will use Larimer County Road 43 to travel between Loveland to Estes Park. We encourage those drivers who can, to still use the US 36 and CO 66 detour for travel between Estes Park and Loveland.
This holiday opening is part of CDOT’s promise to reduce the inconvenience to canyon residents and nearby communities as much as possible. Drivers should remember to drive slowly and be prepared to stop at the single-lane sections.
During this scheduled opening, motorists will notice significant changes in the canyon since October:
• Work between mile points 80 to 83 is nearly complete and we anticipate having two lanes open through this area when the highway opens for holiday travel. Inside this tight area, crews completed 14,000 cubic yards of soil-cement mixing; a process that combines natural material with cement to create a 15-foot section of man-made bedrock beneath the road surface. This mixture will create an extra level of resiliency through the narrows, by ensuring that the river cannot remove the roadway from below. Crews also installed all new drainage in this area. Short lane closures will be needed to complete minor work through May 2018.
• From mile points 74 to 79, crews are still concentrating efforts on installing flood protection measures to the river banks and beneath the roadway.
• At mile point 78, motorists will drive under a new highway bridge that will eventually carry vehicles above the Big Thompson River. Crews spent most of the summer months constructing these bridges which are scheduled to be complete in May 2018.
• At mile point 77.5, motorists will drive over a new highway alignment which is placed on bedrock that was uncovered by the blasting work last winter.
• Mile points 72 to 74, west of Drake, will remain closed where crews are repairing the highway near the landslide. The roadway will be protected with the installation of large boulders, cemented together, under the road.
• Work will begin between mile points 70 to 72 in January. Residents should plan for delays when traveling to and from Estes Park.
“The project team has put in a lot of work over the first three months of the closure, and it’s exciting to see areas start to reopen. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are committed to reopening the canyon just prior to Memorial Day, said Project Director James Usher.”
Following the holiday season, the highway will close again until just before Memorial Day 2018. To travel between Estes Park and Loveland drivers should use the detour on US 36 and CO 66. The only access on US 34 will be for canyon residents and emergency services through a permit process. The US 34 Big Thompson Canyon will reopen to the public just prior to Memorial Day.
When the canyon opens to regular traffic in May, drivers will see mostly clear roads, but there will still be some intermittent traffic delays similar to what drivers experienced in the summer of 2017. These lane closures will allow crews to complete paving and river work by the end of 2018.
US 34 Big Thompson Canyon’s roads and bridges were heavily damaged during the 2013 floods with many homes damaged and over 100 air lifted evacuations. The canyon and its residents also suffered from flooding in 1976. As a result of these two events CDOT has been studying the hydraulic flow of the river in the canyon and its impact on the road and bridges along its path while looking for safety improvements and resiliency solutions to prevent/protect against future flood events.
Sent: Fri 12/15/2017 1:37 PM
Traffic Alert: Resident Updates
• There will be no extended hours this week.
• US 34 will open to all motorists (with or without residential permits) at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and will remain open until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2. Construction activities are ongoing and many areas continue to have only one passable lane, so pilot cars will navigate motorists through the canyon during the holiday opening. These lane restrictions and the anticipated extra traffic on the road for the holidays could mean delays exceeding one hour, especially on Sunday, Dec. 31. Motorists should plan for extra travel time if they plan to use US 34, and cyclists should plan not to ride in the busy one lane corridor, for their safety. US 34 west of Drake remains closed for a two mile stretch, so motorists on US 34 will use Larimer County Road 43 to travel between Loveland to Estes Park. We encourage those drivers who can, to still use the US 36 and CO 66 detour for travel between Estes Park and Loveland.
Kiewit HW34 progress video – December 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2v0CvGWLeE&feature=youtu.be
RSS Reminder
Kiewit crews are working hard to complete work in the Narrows by the end of the year! They have encountered unforeseen conditions in the final section of soil-cement mixing, forcing them to change their methods in order to complete the operation. The new method takes much longer and is less accommodating to ongoing traffic. In order to reopen the Narrows by the New Year, and still maintain residents’ safety, new limitations will be put on the RSS times. The morning open hours will be extended for all permit holders.
Now through 4 p.m. on Dec.22:
• Regular Open Hours 5:30 – 8:30 a.m. (Monday – Sunday);
4 – 7 p.m. (Monday – Thursday);
4 – 8 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
• RSS to and from the east gate will be available at 1 p.m. and Midnight only.
• RSS times will be available to and from the County Road 43 Gate at 4:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 10 p.m. and midnight.
UPS and Fed Ex will be able to utilize the holiday opening to delivery packages to your home. Packages will be available at the construction office (2035 N County Road 29) through 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 20. On Dec, 21, packages will be stored at the local distribution centers.
West Closure Limit
The west closure limit at mile point 70, will move approximately one mile west to Rainbow Trout Lane on Jan. 2. Residents in between the landslide area and Rainbow Trout will not need to use RSS, but should plan for 5-10 minute delays when traveling to and from Estes Park.
The landslide area will remain closed through February.
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
Sent: Fri 12/29/2017 9:26 AM
Traffic Alert: Prepare for Road Closure
Open Hours & RSS Updates
On Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m. US 34 will close from Mile Points 70 – 80. This is approximately Cedar Cove to Rainbow Trout Lane. Residents in between the landslide area and Rainbow Trout Lane (Pink Permits) will not need to use RSS, but should plan for 5-10 minute delays when traveling to and from Estes Park.
The open hours for permitted residents will go back to 6 – 8:30 a.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. (Monday – Thursday) 4 – 8 p.m. (Friday – Sunday) at this time.
RSS scheduling will return to the 4:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 10 p.m.; Midnight schedule. Pickup times are specific to location in the canyon and direction of travel.
The landslide area will remain closed through February.
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
Subject: US 34 Traffic Alert: Resident Update
Sent: Fri 1/12/2018 2:00 PM
This weekend there will be no extended hours. Residents should plan to utilize RSS and the open hours.
US 34 CONSTRUCTION MOVES WEST
On Monday, Jan. 22, the closure limit on the Estes Park end of the canyon will move further west to mile point 68, or Noel’s Draw Lane. The new closure limit will allow crews to install protection below the roadway, similar to work that is being done inside the landslide area. Construction will take place day and night, frequently 7 days a week.
Residents east of Noel’s Draw Lane will need to begin using the Resident Scheduling Service (RSS) at this time for any travel done outside the regular open hours. RSS can be scheduled using the project website us34canyon.codot.gov or by calling 970-667-1005.
Need help with RSS? Click Here.
During this time, the open hours will remain the same.
6 – 8:30 a.m. Sunday – Saturday
4 -7 p.m. Monday – Thursday
4 – 8 p.m. Friday – Sunday
Please schedule your RSS as soon as possible if you require travel outside of the open hours. There will be one mid-morning RSS time and one mid-afternoon RSS time based on the times requested by residents. There will also be RSS times available throughout the night.
The section of US 34 from mile points 72 to 74 just west of Waltonia remains completely closed while work is done to repair the landslide area. During this time, all drivers (including those with permits traveling during the open times) will need to use County Road 43 as a detour for through canyon travel. This section of US 34 is scheduled to reopen for travel in the next few weeks.
Still need a permit?
Permits are available for residents living along US 34 east of Mall Road. Permits can be picked up at the project construction offices (2035 N County Road 29 in west Loveland) any day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To obtain a permit you will need to provide a proof of address, valid driver’s license and the license plate numbers for your vehicle(s).
- Permits can also be picked up at the Estes Park Town Hall atrium (170 MacGregor Ave.) on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 3 to 6 p.m.
- Service providers do not require a permit, only a valid work order showing a canyon address.
Mail Delivery
Mail for residents in this area will be available at the cluster mail boxes across from Rock Canyon Road.
Traffic Alert: Landslide Reopens to Residents Only Friday, March 30 at 4 p.m.
As below, HW34 between Drake and Estes Park can again be used by people with permits during published pilot car hours only.
From: US 34 Public Information Team
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 9:45 AM
Today at 4 p.m. US 34 will reopen to piloted traffic between mile points 72 and 74 just west of Waltonia, making it easier for canyon residents to travel to and from Estes Park during the permitted travel times. This 2-mile stretch of the canyon has been closed so crews could dig up the highway and put in a layer of rock beneath the road surface so it better withstands the eroding effects of flooding. The highway near the landslide remains closed to public traffic, and canyon residents will still need to use the permitted hours or resident scheduling service to travel the area. When scheduling RSS in from the west gate, residents will need to be there 15 minutes in advanced (4:15 am; 10:15 a.m.; 12:45 p.m.; 9:45 p.m.; 11:45 p.m.)
Click here for a Kiewit video of landslide-area road reconstruction.
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
Sent:Fri 4/13/2018 2:15 PM
All Night Pilot Cars Start Sunday 4/15 4PM
Night work is complete!
Saturday, Apr. 14 will be the last night shift for the construction crews. This means, that beginning Sunday, Apr. 15, pilot cars will direct permitted traffic through the closure every night (7 days a week) from 4 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. During these hours, there is no need to schedule RSS.
In May, hauling will take place at night near Round Mountain inside a single lane closure, however pilots will continue to escort residents through the work area.
RSS Revisions
Pilot cars will now be running in a circular formation throughout the canyon. During open times, this should shorten your wait to 15 mins or less. For the 10:30 am and 1 pm RSS, this means that you will be picked up sometime between 10:30-10:45 am and 1 -1:15 pm.
Please do not follow any vehicles other than the pilot car.
From: US 34 Public Information Team (Kiewit)
Sent: Fri 5/18/2018 2:01 PM
Traffic Alert: No Extended Hours
This weekend, crews plan to work both Saturday and Sunday. There will only be the regular open hours from 4 pm – 8:30 a.m. and RSS.
Please be aware that crews are making an effort to pave as much of the canyon as possible before Memorial day. Due to the long shifts, there may be some delays during the open hours in order to complete paving work.
Narrows Paving – On Saturday, May 19 crews will be paving in the Narrows. There will be a 2 mile single lane closure from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please plan for extra delays during this time.
Don’t forget! US 34 will reopen May 24th
at 4 p.m.
Fri 5/18/2018 1:28 PM
US 34 Traffic Impacts for the Week of May 20, 2018
• Please be aware that there will be a single lane closure in the Narrows this weekend for paving.
• US 34 remains closed between mile points 72 – 80 from Sunday, May 20 – Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m.
• 500 ft rolling single lane closure on US 34 between mile points 80 – 87 from Monday, May 21 – Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m..
• Possible 500 ft single lane closure on US 34 between mile points 70 – 72 from Monday, May 21 – Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m.
Construction activities will continue in the canyon this summer and throughout the fall. Drivers could encounter up to 20-minute delays this summer for paving operations. During the summer, there will be limited, nighttime closures of the road to allow bridge girders to be set for four new access bridges.
Excerpted from the Estes Park Trail Gazette, POSTED: 05/16/2018 04:48:05 PM MDT
Once the highway reopens, motorists can expect delays similar to last summer. Kiewit will complete the top layer of paving, as well as the access bridge work that Larimer County has contracted Kiewit to do, separate from the Colorado Department of Transportation work. All of this work will be completed inside a handful of single lane closures, and a few overnight closures, according to Wingerter.
Click Here for CDOT’s canyon map with mile markers and closure dates
Updated map posted Jan 12, 2018
Click here for the CDOT HW34 website.
Reminder-(New) Normal Pilot Car hours for residential permit holders:
4 PM-8:30 AM every day
RSS Pilot Cars are scheduled to leave East Gate (Cedar Cove) and Drake (CR43/HW34 intersection) at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pilot cars leave West Gate 15 minutes earlier.
Kiewit HW34 progress video – Dec 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2v0CvGWLeE&feature=youtu.be
Email infous34@kiewit.com to be added to the Kiewit distribution list.
Sign up for the CDOT emails from the right side of this web page:
https://www.codot.gov/projects/floodrelatedprojects/us-34-big-thompson-canyon-1