History & Purpose

The Climbing Lanes, Phase II project is an
Early-Action Project currently under construction. This project extends from the Castle Pines Parkway Interchange to the Meadows/Founders Interchange on I-25 and will compliment the Climbing Lanes, Phase I project. The Climbing Lanes, Phase I construction will be completed in October 2000.

The following conditions required immediate action

The safety of the traveling public is reduced by slow moving vehicles (predominately trucks) climbing steep grades (characteristic of this section of I-25). These vehicles are a constant disruption to the mainline traffic stream causing safety hazards associated with a mix of vehicles moving at significantly different speeds. Frequent breakdowns, heavy traffic, and adverse weather conditions compound the problem. Trucks account for approximately 11% of the traffic volume between Denver and Colorado Springs.

Design and Engineering

Design of the Climbing Lanes, Phase II project was begun in early 1999.

The 3.6-meter (12-foot) climbing lane in each direction, as well as widened inside and outside shoulders, was designed to minimize the disruption to the mainline traffic stream and result in safer, more consistent operating speeds. The wider shoulders [3-meter (10-foot) median shoulder and 3.6-meter (12-foot) outside shoulder] accommodate breakdowns. This design effectively addressed the immediate action issues.

This design solution was carefully planned so as to ensure that none of the potential alternatives explored by the South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS were precluded; however, the design does not address future capacity needs or requirements. NOTE: The South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS has been completed and the ROD has been signed! Read the results: South I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor EIS

All environmental clearances were completed and engineering design was finalized by early summer 2000. With the completion of the design phase, CDOT Project Engineer, Paul Jesaitis, was assigned to manage the construction phase of the project. Paul can be reached from the Contact Us! page.

Construction

The final construction plans and specifications were packaged for public advertisement and bid. The construction contract was awarded to Interstate Highway Construction, Inc. of Englewood, Colorado as the low construction bidder on June 15, 2000. The bid was below the Engineer's best estimate.

The contractor was issued an official "Notice to Proceed" on June 27, 2000. After a pre-construction meeting and a utility coordination meeting, the contractor will be ready to break ground. Ground breaking is tentatively scheduled for August 13, 2000. Construction is scheduled for completion in September 15, 2002.

Click Construction Bulletin for detailed construction information.