Motorists should plan for overnight detours and travel delays during critical bridge work on I-70 over 32nd Avenue from June 28 to July 15

Travel Advisory

June 27, 2022 - Central/Eastern Colorado

Jefferson County — Drivers should anticipate full overnight closures of 32nd Avenue under Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge and nightly lane closures in both directions of I-70 starting on Tuesday, June 28 and lasting every night until Thursday, June 30 and on an intermittent basis during weeknights from July 5 until July 15. These overnight traffic impacts will occur while the I-70 Over 32nd Avenue Bridge Replacement project team is placing girders and performing other safety critical work for the new westbound bridge structure on Interstate 70 over 32nd Avenue.

During this bridge work, 32nd Avenue under the bridges will be fully closed during overnight hours for safety reasons. A suggested detour route will be in place to bypass the closure (see map). Additionally, some lane closures will be in place overnight in both directions of I-70 from Exit 263 (Colorado Mills Parkway) to Exit 265 (CO 58/Golden). One lane of travel will be maintained on I-70 during this overnight work.

full closure map I-70 & 32nd

Traffic Impacts June 28-July 15

32nd Avenue overnight full closures:

  • During this overnight bridge work, 32nd Avenue under the bridges at I-70 will be fully closed overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists can expect the following:
  • Both directions of 32nd Avenue under the bridges will be fully closed to all traffic including cyclists and pedestrians during overnight hours
  • The closures will be in place from Tuesday, June 28 to Thursday, June 30, and on an intermittent basis on weeknights from July 5 until July 15.
  • No access to westbound 32nd Avenue from Youngfield Street
  • No through access on 32nd Avenue from the west side of I-70 to Youngfield Street
  • No access to eastbound 32nd Avenue from westbound I-70 Exit 264 (Clear Creek Drive/32nd Ave)
  • Detour signage and devices will be present to direct traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians to 40th Avenue to bypass the closures (see detour map)

I-70 overnight lane closures:

  • Single left lane closures will exist on westbound I-70 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday June 28 to Thursday, June 30 and on an intermittent basis during weeknights from July 5 until July 15.
  • Double lane closures will be in place on eastbound I-70 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 28 to Thursday, June 30, and on an intermittent basis during weeknights from July 5 until July 15. One lane of travel will remain open on I-70.
  • The lane closures will be in place in both directions of I-70 between Exit 263 and Exit 265.
  • The lane closures are necessary to grant crews safe access to place girders and perform other safety critical work on the new westbound bridge structure.
    Please refer to cotrip.org for road conditions, lane closures, and other restrictions. These are posted four days prior to the following week’s impacts.
  • During the overnight bridge work, area residents and businesses will be subject to some construction noise and bright lights. CDOT appreciates the public’s understanding during these short-term overnight disruptions as demolition work on I-70 is considered critical and cannot be performed during daytime hours without impacting the flow and safety of the traveling public.

Detour Route

During the overnight closures of 32nd Avenue under I-70, all vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to 40th Avenue (see map) to bypass the closures. This includes both westbound and eastbound I-70 traffic exiting at the Exit 264 off ramps and all local traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians.

From westbound I-70:

  • To access eastbound 32nd Avenue from westbound I-70, motorists will be able to exit at 264 (Clear Creek Drive) and will be detoured to 40th Avenue following the signs.
  • To access westbound 32nd Avenue from westbound I-70, no detour or impacts will be in place. Take Exit 264 Clear Creek Drive as usual.
  • This detour route is only expected to add up to five minutes of extra travel time.

From eastbound I-70:

  • To access eastbound 32nd Avenue from eastbound I-70, take Exit 264 (Youngfield) as usual and head east at 32nd Avenue.
  • To access westbound 32nd Avenue from eastbound I-70, motorists will be able to exit at 264 (Youngfield) and will be detoured to 40th Avenue following the signs.
  • This detour route is only expected to add up to five minutes of extra travel time.

Local access to/from 32nd Avenue:

  • During the full closures of 32nd Avenue, local traffic will be detoured as follows, or please refer to the map:
  • To access westbound 32nd Avenue from the east side of the interstate, motorists will be detoured to 40th Avenue, then south to Clear Creek Drive to the 32nd Avenue intersection.
  • To access eastbound 32nd Avenue from the west side of the interstate, motorists will be detoured to 40th Avenue via Clear Creek Drive, then north to the Youngfield Street intersection.

Pedestrian/cyclist access:

  • There will be no pedestrian or cyclist access to and from 32nd Avenue between Clear Creek Drive to the west and Youngfield Street to the east during the overnight (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) work.
  • Pedestrians/cyclists should follow the pedestrian detour signs that will be present through the work zone.
  • The suggested route is north on Youngfield Street to 40th Avenue, then west to Clear Creek Drive, then south to 32nd Avenue.
  • This detour will add significant walking time to pedestrian travel. Please refer to the map for the detour route.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

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