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Contact: Arlene Jackson, 970-858-3617 x363
Contact: Dan Hallett, 970-858-3617 x346
Fruita, CO – Colorado National Monument is partnering with the Federal Highway Administration for work in three areas along Rim Rock Drive between now and July 31, 2018. The project was awarded to Old Castle SW Group, Inc., a local Grand Junction company.
The closure of a section of Rim Rock Drive will be necessary, as the first part of the project involves completely replacing a small portion of the road between Highland View Overlook and Artist Point Overlook. The work will entail removing the road base in a section of road that continues to slump, creating challenging driving conditions for visitors. The closure will start January 29, 2018 and is expected to take a month. To allow the greatest use of the remainder of Rim Rock Drive and access to all hiking trails, bicyclists and passenger cars/trucks will be allowed to Artist Point and Highland View before being directed to turnaround. Oversize vehicles such as RVs, box trucks and vehicles towing trailers will be directed to turn around at 16 ½ Road and Independence Monument View Overlook.
The second part of the project will be to re-pave the east hill from the entrance near Grand Junction to the monument boundary on Glade Park Road/DS Road. This will start the beginning of March. During most of this work one driving lane will be open. Drivers will have delays of 15 – 30 minutes as pilot vehicles provide for safe access through the construction zones. Any complete closures of this section of Rim Rock Drive will be temporary and notification will be sent out two weeks in advance. Little Park Road is an alternate route for those traveling to and from Glade Park.
The final project covered by the contract will be to replace the guard rails throughout Rim Rock Drive. At this time the work will start late spring to early summer.
The goal of everyone associated with the projects is to accomplish the needed work in an efficient manner and provide for the safety of staff, community members and visitors.
Winter hours are now in effect at Colorado National Monument. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. For additional information please visit www.nps.gov/colm or call 970-858-3617, ext. 360.
-www.nps.gov-
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
Last updated: January 19, 2018