A temporary traffic pattern on U.S. 36 will allow commuters to travel from Boulder to Denver until the highway is rebuilt. A portion of the highway crumbled on July 12, creating a traffic nightmare.
Two new eastbound lanes were created on the undamaged westbound side of the highway and separated with concrete barriers.
Under the new pattern the express lane and shoulder on U.S. 36 near Wadsworth are operating as general purpose lanes, and no tolls will be applied to this section.
Colorado Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Inzeo said it’s too early to estimate how much this will cost.
“We feel that as a department we have the resources to make sure this gets done expeditiously,” Inzeo said. “There’s going to be other questions about ultimate resolutions that standing here today we can't answer because that is work that is still to come.”
The governor said he expects CDOT to hold those responsible for the collapse accountable and do what’s best for taxpayers.
Transit officials expect to have a construction contractor on board this week to rebuild the section of U.S. 36 that collapsed.
