by Public Information
comments open from March 15 until April 4

The eastbound 6th Avenue on-ramp at Indiana Street will be closed during night time hours on Tuesday, March 16, Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18 to allow West Corridor crews to set forms on the south side of the Indiana Bridge. The closures will be in effect each night beginning at 9:00 p.m. and reopening the following morning at 5:30 a.m. This activity is scheduled during night time hours to minimize impacts on the traveling public. Motorists can access 6th Avenue via the south Frontage Road or Colfax Avenue during these closures.

We appreciate your cooperation during this activity and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Scheduled dates are subject to change and are weather dependent. While it’s not anticipated to have crews in the area continuously from now until completion of construction, the phasing of future activities will require crews to be moving in and out from now until West Corridor light rail construction is completed in late 2012.

For complete up-to-date information on upcoming construction activities, access the Construction Information Page for the West Corridor on the FasTracks Web site. For questions or additional construction information please contact Kathy Berumen, Denver Transit Construction group at 303-626-6762.

And don't forget about the parking closures at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility due to the construction starting on-campus. Read the full press release for all of the details.

by Public Information
comments open from March 12 until March 31

Starting Monday, light rail construction will impact parking at the Administration and Courts Facility.

RTD FasTracks West Corridor construction will begin in earnest this Saturday, March 13, at the Jefferson County Government Center. By Monday morning March 15, the new parking lot between the Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices will open and the “overflow” parking lots on the southwest side of the campus will close.

Temporary signs will be posted directing the public. Overflow public parking will be directed to the new lot. Drivers of county vehicles have been asked to park in the new lot. Employees of the Administration and Courts Facility are encouraged to park their personal vehicles in the new lot as well.

The pedestrian walkways in this area also will be closed. Pedestrians should keep to the northeast side of the road, away from construction.

To ensure the safety of employees and visitors, West Corridor crews will install fencing to delineate between the construction zone and the Jefferson County Government Center campus. Construction will last for about 18 months.

Because bad weather and the availability of materials can affect construction schedules, the dates noted in this announcement could change.

by Public Information
comments open from March 1 until March 20

With the weather cooperating, West Corridor construction is moving forward rapidly. Bridge construction is on track and crews are in the first stages of welding rail for trackway.

Current and Ongoing Activities in Area 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Denver Federal Center): Construction in Area 1 is maintaining a steady pace.
>> The drainage culvert at Ulysses will be completed this month and crews plan to move into street and wall construction.
>> Construction of retaining walls along 6th Avenue, west of Union, continues.
>> Deck work on the Colfax Bridge is ongoing, requiring intermittent lane closures on Colfax.
>> Crews will be moving back onto I-70 this week to remove the traffic control devices, replace them with guardrail and restore the area to its prior condition.
>> Work on the northwest side of the Indiana Bridge will pause while construction continues on the southeast side.
>> A new traffic signal is in place at the intersection of Arbutus and the 6th Avenue Frontage Road, near Red Rocks Community College.
>> While not visible to the public, work on the foundations for the Overhead Catenary System (the poles that will hold the wires to power the light rail) have begun in Area 1.

Upcoming Activities
In early March, West Corridor crews plan to begin work on the tunnel under Union. This work will be done during nighttime hours to minimize traffic impacts.
>> Crews expect to begin relocation of the CDOT sign over eastbound 6th Avenue in March. This activity will close the left-hand lanes of 6th Avenue in both directions.
>> Work on the retaining walls at the Jefferson County Government Center could begin in March. The existing bike path, south of the Government Center, will close for this activity and pedestrians and bikers will be redirected down Johnson Road to Fossil Trace Golf Course.

To get the latest information on construction and road closures, connect to the West Corridor Web site.

by Todd Leopold, Administrative Services Director
comments open from February 26 to March 17

If you have visited or driven by the Jefferson County Government Campus recently you may have noticed a great deal of construction along 6th Avenue. This is part of the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) West Corridor light rail project, which is anticipated to begin operation in 2013.

The light rail line will begin service downtown, have stops along 13th Avenue, the Federal Center, and 6th Avenue, and ultimately, have an end-of-line station on the campus of the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility.

However, a great deal of construction remains and some of the biggest efforts are soon coming to the county campus. Initial work, which begins March 2010, includes major dirt work to make room for the three-story parking garage and end of line station. This will result in the county having to relocate some existing surface-area parking spaces to another parking lot on campus while construction continues over the next 18-24 months.

The county will be making every effort to provide adequate parking and signage around the campus for citizens who may be conducting business at the Administration and Courts Facility during this time. Watch for additional updates on the progress of the light rail station as it continues.

by Public Information
comments open from December 20 until January 8

Denver Transit Construction Group, the RTD construction contractor building the West Corridor light rail project, will be setting girders on the north side of the 6th Avenue Bridge on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, from 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

This activity will require a complete closure of the frontage road north of 6th Avenue between Simms and Quail. DTCG is hoping to accomplish this in one day, but it may require a short closure of the same area on Wednesday morning, December 23, to complete the girder set. Breeze Ski Rental will have access.

For complete up-to-date information on upcoming construction activities, access the Construction Information Page for the West Corridor on the FasTracks Web site. For questions or additional construction information please contact Kathy Berumen, Denver Transit Construction group at 303-626-6762.

by Public Information
comments open from December 4 until December 23

Denver Transit Construction Group, RTD’s contractor for the FasTracks West Corridor construction project, will be closing all lanes of traffic on Colfax Avenue between Quaker and 6th Avenue at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, so crews can set the girders on the Colfax Light Rail Bridge. Colfax will reopen on Monday, December 7, at 5:30 a.m.

Colfax westbound will close at Quaker Street and Colfax eastbound will close at 6th Avenue. Westbound traffic should detour on Indiana, south to 6th Avenue, west on 6th Avenue back to Colfax . Eastbound traffic can follow 6th Avenue to Indiana, north on Indiana back to Colfax.
Be advised that all construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change. There are more closures tentatively scheduled for later this fall and will be confirmed as tunnel work progresses.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit program to expand rail and bus service throughout the RTD service area. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create more than 10,000 jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy.

For complete up-to-date information on upcoming construction activities, access the Construction Information Page for the West Corridor on the FasTracks Web site. For questions or additional construction information please contact Kathy Berumen, Denver Transit Construction group at 303-626-6762.

by Public Information
comments open from November 12 until December 1

Denver Transit Construction Group, RTD’s contractor for the FasTracks West Corridor construction project, will close various lanes of Interstate 70 periodically overnight and on weekends over the next several months to accommodate light rail tunnel construction under I-70.

The scheduled closures are:

• Friday, November 13 – Monday, November 16, 2009
>>All westbound lanes of traffic on I-70 between the 6th Avenue and Colfax Avenue exits will be closed for the weekend.
>>The closure will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, with all lanes reopening at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16.

A detour route will be in place to move motorists from westbound I-70 as follows:
>> Westbound at Colfax Avenue to 6th Avenue
>> West on 6th Avenue to Johnson Road
>> South at Johnson Road onto C-470 southbound
>> Back to I-70 westbound

Be advised that all construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change. There are more closures tentatively scheduled for later this fall and will be confirmed as tunnel work progresses.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit program to expand rail and bus service throughout the RTD service area. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create more than 10,000 jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy.

For complete up-to-date information on upcoming construction activities, access the Construction Information Page for the West Corridor on the FasTracks Web site, or call 299-2000 for pre-recorded information 24 hours a day. To speak to someone about construction activities, please call 720-989-8099.

by Tim Carl, Development & Transportation Director
comments open from October 6 until October 25

Last time I posted on the Jeffco blog (see “You Need to Know What You’re Getting”), I mentioned how important our customers are to us. We pride ourselves on getting information to those that need it quickly and without confusion.

Starting January 1, 2010, Highways & Transportation will change its name to Transportation & Engineering. This new name change reflects a sincere desire to identify the specific function and activities in this unique division. As a customer, you will find all the same services. We just want to make sure you know what we do and who to contact.

Highways & Transportation has always been a source for service needs - from fixing a broken traffic light to installing a new guardrail along a county road to alerting you to road improvements taking place in your area. However, a difference exists between Highways & Transportation and what we do in our Road & Bridge Division, like providing snow removal and road repairs. We feel this name change will make that distinction more evident.

Transportation design, engineering and transportation planning remain key components of the Transportation & Engineering division. That has not changed and will continue into the future. Engineering has always been a part of this division, but at times, folks haven’t necessarily realized that we offer engineering services related to drainage, traffic, floodplains and road design. Throughout the coming months we intend to promote this new change and recognize that our effort remains clear: we always want to provide the best service possible!

by Jefferson County Public Information
comments open from September 18 until October 7

The features of the West Chatfield project, for which Jefferson County contracted design services from Merrick & Company, are intended to significantly increase vehicle capacity at this busy intersection so drivers spend less time waiting. Phase I plans are to widen the intersection of West Chatfield Avenue and South Wadsworth Boulevard. Merrick’s engineers are currently designing Phase II Chatfield improvements west of Wadsworth.

Need More Information?
More information, project plans and what's happening next month can be found on the Highways & Transportion Web site.

by Brent Soderlin, Design Engineer, Jefferson County Highways & Transportion
comments open from September 9 until September 28

Since the ribbon cutting ceremony and opening last week, there is a new way to get in to the Jefferson County campus. Jefferson County Parkway has been extended to the east to intersect with Johnson Road, just behind the County Jail. Drivers can avoid traffic jams at peak times at the roundabout by using this new parkway extension. Unlike the current access by the roundabout, both right AND left turns are possible from the new Jefferson County Parkway Extension on to Johnson Road. I encourage everyone to check out the new intersection the next time you come to work or have other business here at Jefferson County.

by Tim Carl, Development & Transportation Director
comments open from September 2 until September 21

Have you ever called Jefferson County requesting assistance on a road or street issue only to find that the division you thought provided that service was not the right one? In order to help our citizens get the assistance they need quickly and avoid confusion, we are addressing the sometimes misleading name of one particular area.

I have written several times on the Jeffco Blog about communication, customer service and follow-through: all critical elements to how local government operates. Common calls to the county often referred to Highways & Transportation lead to confusion as to what their responsibilities and objectives are compared to our Road & Bridge Division.

Highways & Transportation has been, and continues to be, our engineering services and design area. We have a quality staff that handles traffic engineering, road design and infrastructure improvements, such as drainage culverts, flood channels, stormwater runoff and so forth.

We have begun the process of changing the name in Highways & Transportation so that Jefferson County citizens, our community, will know who we are and what we do. By January 2010 we will have a new and more precise name for this division. We all feel excitement over this prospect and we want you to know that we continue to listen and hear your comments.

by Dixie Shear, Resident Engineer, Jefferson County Highways & Transportion
comments open from August 12 until August 31

The construction around the Jefferson County Government Center still continues, but is coming to an end. The latest update is on specific things that are happening on August 14 and 15.

Visit the Jefferson County Web site for full details on the operations and possible delays.

by Dixie Shear, Resident Engineer, Jefferson County Highways & Transportion
comments open from August 6 until August 25

What is the latest?
>> Crews have reconstructing the west half of Jefferson County Parkway at the Delivery Entrance and Ballot Drop Off areas. Both driveways have been poured with concrete to realign with the roadway. Sidewalks curb & gutter, and a new RTD bus pad has been poured by the bus shelter.
>> The sidewalk west of Johnson Road will be finished by August 7, along with the colored concrete median in Johnson Road. Sidewalks and medians in the new Jefferson County Parkway extension have also been poured.
>> The two water quality ponds are being finished and crews continue with irrigation system installation.

What is planned for next month?
>> In mid-August, the last paving campaign will be completed on the west half of Jefferson County Parkway between the delivery entrance and the RTD shelter. Top lift of asphalt will also be placed on areas paved earlier. Crews will finish landscaping by placing topsoil and seeding, as well as installing trees. Street lights will be placed at the newly aligned Jefferson County Parkway near the Ballot Drop Off.
>> It is expected that the roadway construction will wrap up by Labor Day weekend. By then, all new road segments will be striped, signed and fully open to traffic.

The original RTD shelter and sidewalk access by the courtside parking structure will be re-opened for regular pickups. Once open, there will be two new intersections at Jefferson County Parkway / Johnson Road and Jefferson County Parkway / Courthouse Access. These will be controlled by STOP signs. Ultimately, a traffic signal will be placed at the Johnson Road intersection when traffic warrants are met.

What is going on with the RTD project?
RTD’s contractor, Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG), has received approval of plans and permits to begin excavating approximately 9,000 CY from the south side of the Courthouse near the overflow parking lots. Work will begin Monday, August 10 and continue into September.

Excavated dirt will be hauled by dump trucks to the open area west of the Sheriff’s Office across from Weimer Street. The dirt will be graded to construct a temporary parking lot that replaces space lost from overflow parking once the train station construction begins.

The truck route should have minimal impact to county operations as the attached map shows. Trucks will be entering and exiting by the overflow lots near the Administrative Parking structure – please use caution.

by Tim Carl, Development & Transportation Director
comments open from July 24 until August 12

Jefferson County Road & Bridge has reopened Highway 126, north of Deckers near Cheesman Reservoir. A severe rainstorm caused a landslide Tuesday night, washing trees and debris onto the road. The road was also severely undercut and washed away in several places.

Jefferson County will conduct ongoing clean-up and maintenance that could result in periodic lane closures for the next two to three weeks. We recommend that drivers slow down and be cautious as they travel in that area.

by Public Information
comments open from July 22 until August 10

Highway 126 was washed out late on Tuesday, July 21, due to a severe rainstorm, placing trees and debris on the road. Jefferson County has closed the highway down to Deckers.

No one has been hurt and forces have been mobilized. Jefferson County staff is assessing the situation. The road is severely undercut and washed away in several places. Jeffco has had people at the scene from about midnight last night through today.

More details to follow when they become available.