CO 133 rockfall mitigation project underway

15-minute delays can be expected into the fall

The Colorado Department of Transportation began rockfall mitigation work on Monday, July 22. Work will take place along Colorado Highway 133 between Paonia and Carbondale near the Paonia State Park and Reservoir. The project is expected to last until late October. 

There are four sites along a seven mile stretch of CO 133 between mile points 24 and 31 where rockfall mitigation will occur. Work will include: 

• Rock bolting – inserting steel bars into holes drilled into the rock face to stabilize the rock 

• Installing mesh – anchoring wire mesh to the rock face to prevent rockfalls  

• Rock scaling – the removal of loose rock from slopes, cliff walls or ridgelines

• Ditch cleaning – removal of rock, sediment and debris from roadside ditches  

“The project will decrease the potential of rockfall hazard for motorists,” said Jason Smith, CDOT regional transportation director. “CDOT monitors areas prone to rock slides across the state. Our geohazards team recently inspected and evaluated this section of CO 133 and identified it as needing slope stabilization. The mitigation work will improve travel safety and protect the highway from damage by lowering the amount of debris that could fall and reach the roadway.” 

Of the four sites, crews began work on site 1 and site 4 the week of July 22. Site 1 is at MP 24 at the south end of Paonia Reservoir and will include clearing vegetation above the site, drilling anchors and installing mesh. Improvements at this site should be complete by late August. Site 4 is located on the north end of the project at MP 31. Work here will include rock scaling. 

Once work is completed at sites 1 and 4, crews will focus on sites 2 and 3, both located between MP 25 and 26 where mesh will be installed along the cliff face.

Travel impacts  

Normal working hours will be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Motorists will encounter full stops and alternating lane closures with delays of up to 15 minutes.   

The speed limit will be reduced throughout the work zone.   

The public is urged to be prepared for full stops, especially trucks with trailers or boats and commercial big rigs coming downhill from Carbondale. Motorists should also carefully observe lowered speed limits throughout the job sites for the safety of the workers and the traveling public. The project team will be mindful of local events and avoid weekend work when possible in order to facilitate community and visitor traffic in the area and to Paonia State Park.

Access Limited of Oceano, California, is the contractor for this project.