STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 3, 2021-Various projects across the city are moving through different phases as work focuses on improvements and infrastructure enhancements. The following provides a brief update on city and non-city projects. All projects are weather dependent.
Mt. Werner/Steamboat Blvd Roundabout
City of Steamboat Springs
The project continues to be open to two-way traffic and excessive speed is still an issue especially in the downhill direction and possess a safety risk for workers. This is an active construction site and motorists are asked to proceed S L O W L Y through the work zone. The 15-mph speed limit is being enforced by the police. Pedestrian and bicycle access is provided on the soft surface material through a defined path with a crossing guard at designated locations.
Access from Mt. Werner Rd to Steamboat Blvd is still on track to be available later this month. Work has been focused on the north side of the roadway including installing a large box culvert, concrete work for curb and sidewalks and prepping for pavement. Once the north side is paved, the plan is for traffic patterns to shift to that segment of road, allowing for connectivity to Steamboat Blvd.
Project construction efforts will continue in full force through late October to early November. Work runs from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday. The project team hosts bi-weekly virtual meetings and the meeting schedule, project updates and photos can be found at engagesteamboat.net/roundabout
Downhill Drive/US 40 Intersection
City of Steamboat Springs
The city will host a public open house to answer questions and review preliminary plans for proposed improvements to the Downhill Drive/US40 intersection this Thursday, Aug 5.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 from 4pm to 6pm at the Community Center located at 1605 Lincoln Avenue. Plans are also available on the EngageSteamboat for review. Feedback can be provided in person at the open house or online.
US40 Sidewalk Project
City of Steamboat Springs
The project team has completed clearing and grubbing work and is currently working on storm sewer installation on both sides of the highway. Shoulder closures should be expected on both sides of the highway. Focus will soon shift to embankment work which involves moving dirt from the north side of the highway to the south side. In addition, a new 12-inch valve will be installed resulting in a water shutdown to the Community Center and Stockbridge on August 11.
Duckels Construction was awarded the US40 West Sidewalk project, which looks to install sidewalk on the river side of US40 between the Community Center and Loggers Lane, as well as on the hill side of US40 between Indian Trails and Conestoga Circle. Access to all businesses remains open.
Parks & Recreation Project
City of Steamboat Springs
Several projects are underway or in design/contractor phase across Howelsen Hill and the park system including the new chairlift, ice complex expansion, Snake Island Bridge and Yampa River Restoration behind the Flour Mill.
At Howelsen Hill, Geotech crews are wrapping up drilling work on the hill this week. Their crews will return to torque the mesh and existing anchors on the slope. SkyTrac is gearing up for three concrete foundation tower pours and is finalizing the final tower excavation (tower 6). The lift project continues to be on scheduled and anticipated to run through early October.
Snake Island Bridge Project officially kicked off Monday, August 2. The city has contracted with Sloop Painting to complete the upcoming refurbishment decking and painting project. The bridges cross the Yampa River with the first bridge located near Rich Weiss Park and the second bridge from Snake Island to the Core Trail underpass near Parks & Recreation office.
As a result, the two pedestrian bridges are closed. A detour has been set up so that Core Trail users can bypass the closed area by using the sidewalk along Lincoln Ave to 3rd Street; then the alleyway to 5th Street to rejoin the Core Trail and vice versa. The project is anticipated to run for eight weeks, reopening by Friday, Sept. 24.
US 40 Medians: Parks & Recreation has secured Multi-Service as the contractor interested in taking on the medians and preforming minimal maintenance work this summer/fall. This one-person shop will mow grass and pull weeds on the Highway 40 medians and Mt. Werner Circle.
Due to extensive work already planned on US40 this summer, as well as budget reductions resulting from coronavirus, the city’s median improvement plan was postponed to the 2022 and will be performed by Duckels.
The Yampa River Restoration Project will commence around September 1. The project, located behind the Flour Mill, will improve river access, aquatic habitat, bank stabilization and recreational opportunities. This restoration project will also enact detours on the Yampa River Core Trail.
Rodeo Grounds Paving Project
City of Steamboat Springs
Work resumed this week at the Rodeo Grounds as additional erosion control devices were installed. Crews will concentrate on irrigation sleeves and electrical service for the EV charging stations and parking lot lighting before moving to other aspects of the project. Work is still on target for a substantial completion in early October, followed by landscaping and clean-up.
Other Agency Projects
US40 Chip Seal
Colorado Department of Transportation
This $2.1 million project has moved to the final section that stretches from Walton Creek Rd to 3rd Street downtown. This week, CDOT is sweeping the EB shoulder through town between Walton Creek and 3rd Street on Tuesday. On Wednesday, chips will be placed on the remaining eastbound lanes. Following completion of that work, crews will then move to the westbound lanes. During this phase one lane will be closed and a zipper merge will occur. Like how skiers take turns in the ski lift line this merge is implemented as an efficient way to combat congestion. Following placement of the chips, the contractor will leave the gravel loose on the roadway for a period of a few days to allow them to adhere to the surface prior to sweeping the surface.
Those interested in staying up to date on the US 40 Chip Seal project and work schedule can do so by visiting the project web site at codot.gov/projects/us40-steamboat-chipseal. The public information line is 970.274.7320 and the email is us40chipsealsteamboat@gmail.com.
Mt. Werner Water Sewer Interceptor
Mt Werner Water & Sanitation District
The shoulder closure and reconfiguring of the on-ramp access for travelers heading from Mt Werner Road to US40 westbound toward downtown Steamboat Springs is currently in place. The through lanes of US 40 will not be impacted by construction. Project work runs Monday-Friday during daylight hours with no work currently anticipated on weekends. The closure and detour along the Yampa River Core Path between Rotary Park and Fetcher Pond and the new on-ramp impacts will remain in effect through mid-October.
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Contact
Ben Beall, City Engineer, 970.871.8293 or email
Emrick Soltis, Public Works Engineer, 970.871.8271 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.220 or email