CO 13 Garco Rio Blanco Hill Widening

About the Project:

A planned winter shut down is now in place for the widening project on CO 13 located 11 miles northwest of Rifle. The planned winter shutdown is necessary to keep the traveling public and crews safe during winter weather conditions.

All lanes of CO 13 will be open with all shouldering/slopes complete for safe travel. Asphalt coring may be done during the winter months, but will have minimal or no traffic impacts for CO 13 motorists.

Wider lanes were created for safe passing with pullouts added for slower vehicles. The improvements were designed to give motorists wider roads to travel on during inclement weather and during higher traffic volumes. Construction of the wildlife underpass improves safety on CO 13 by reducing the potential for animal-vehicle collisions. Drainage work was completed to accommodate higher accumulations of rainfall and lower the risks associated with flooding to maintain safe driving conditions. Resurfacing was done for smoother pavement and to improve driving conditions.  Guardrail was replaced to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway.

guardrail and completed asphalt work, CO 13 Widening Project, CO 13 Widening Project, guardrail and asphalt


Project Benefits:

  • Safety improvements on the project are designed to give motorists wider roads to travel on during inclement weather, accommodate higher traffic volumes, and to help prevent roadside erosion.
  • The resurfacing and widening will create smoother pavement and improved driving conditions
  • Adding chain up areas will significantly improve safety for travelers when weather conditions suddenly change.
  • Two wildlife underpasses will help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Work Schedule

  • Project on winter shutdown

Traffic Impacts

  • No traffic impacts during winter shutdown

No Work this Week

Project Facts

  • Cost: $20 Million +
  • Contractor:  IHC Scott
  • Timeline: May 2022 to early Summer 2024
  • Location: on CO 13 on Garco Rio Blanco Hill
    • City: 11 miles northwest of Rifle
    • Mile Posts: 11.32 to 16.18
    • County: Garfield 
CO 13 Rio Blanco Widening Project Map
CO 13 Rio Blanco Widening Project Map