I-25 South Gap project in Colorado enters final year of construction

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) this week announced the I-25 South Gap project has entered its fourth and final year of highway construction.

The 18-mile I-25 South Gap project between Castle Rock and Monument will deliver a new express lane in each direction, wider shoulders, five new bridges, four new wildlife crossings, and improved technology, according to a press release.

The entire project cost is $419 million and is expected to conclude in November 2022. CDOT expects the project will finish on-time and on-budget.

CDOT said the five bridges to be reconstructed on the project are nearly complete, with the Spruce Mountain Road bridge, the bridge over Plum Creek, and the Greenland Road bridge at 100% complete; the Upper Lake Gulch Road bridge 95% complete; and the County Line Road bridge 70% complete.

The Department said to date, 620,000 tons of asphalt has been placed on the project, with 75% of paving complete. Crews have also relocated nearly 90,000 linear ft of existing fiber-optic line that was beneath I-25.

CDOT crews also completed all four wildlife crossings. The expectation is to deliver a 90% decline in animal/vehicle collisions along the I-25 South Gap corridor. This work also includes 28 miles of deer fencing.