CDOT I-70 Glenwood Canyon Material Flows

When heavy rains inundated burn scars from previous summer fires, numerous slides in Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon meant emergency repairs along Interstate 70 (I-70) had to happen fast. We supported the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) with construction management, construction inspection, and material testing services. Focusing on improving resiliency against future debris flows, we mobilized team members quickly and rapidly developed plans in close coordination with the contractor and CDOT for this emergency contract.

After initial clean-up and repairs were completed, we oversaw mass excavation of slide material, as well as gabion wall and debris barrier installation for permanent mitigation of future geohazard events. Working in the canyon, the team faced an extremely tight corridor and many site constraints that required helicopter material delivery—they were keenly aware of issues caused by flooding that couldn’t be addressed or anticipated in the original road design. This required exceptional coordination and responsiveness to allow the contractor and team to respond appropriately in the field, that would maintain functionality and avoid schedule delays.

Despite a short construction season in the canyon, including completion before snowfall, we completed timely and quality inspections, submittal reviews, and change requests which helped complete this project on time and within budget.