In September, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation began safety improvements to the Interstate 70 interchange at Palisade.

It is the fourth ARRA-funded construction project to move forward in CDOT’s Region 3.

Work at the interchange involves lengthening the eastbound I-70 on-ramp approximately 500 ft to allow motorists more distance to safely merge into 75-mph traffic. The project will also construct 1,500 ft of “debris fencing” on the north side of the interstate, as well as a retention basin on the south side, to help reduce the impacts of flooding and debris flows on the roadway.

The project has received $1.339 million in ARRA funding. United Cos. of Mesa County is the contractor on a $1.106 million contract. The difference covers the total project cost, which includes the construction management, inspection and materials testing by CDOT.