WEEK OF JULY 20, 2023
VOLUME 52 | ISSUE 8
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Floyd Hill work will mean delays, some closures Clear Creek of I-70 with a vision for a safer ride by 2028 County Sheriff Rick Albers announces retirement
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As you make your way down Floyd Hill on westbound Interstate 70, there is a tree you should take a look at. The tree marks the location of the future highway to be completed in 2028. It’s here, at this tree, where westbound I-70 will launch 60 feet above the mountains on a twisting path leading back to the Veterans Memorial Tunnels. Supported by steel and concrete caissons, this elevated section of road is designed to address several existing problems with what experts say has been a hazardous design for decades. The planned forgiving and wider turns will improve sight and stopping distance. Kurt Kionka with the Colorado Department of Transportation says the current curves are rated for 45 mph. Many drivers, said Kionka, CDOT Floyd Hill Project director, “clearly exceed that safety limit.” Kionka and Austin Knapp, the construction manager and general contractor with Kraemer North America, will lead this historic project. It represents the next five years of interstate construction in Clear Creek County. Eastbound work is
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
$100 million. It is a massive engineering and construction project that will be split into three phases. Work has started on the east section of the project, a four-mile stretch that spans from County Road 65 to the bottom of Floyd Hill. Over the summer, crews will focus
After 43 years, Clear Creek County Sheriff Rick Albers is stepping down. In a Facebook post, Sheriff Albers thanked the citizens of Clear Creek County for their support over the last four decades. He said his retirement will be effective Aug. 3. His decision, announced late on July 12, comes as the sheriff ’s department is embroiled in controversy following the shooting death of 22-year-old Christian Glass. Glass, who was stranded in his car last year, called 911 but refused to leave his car when asked to by officers. This turned into a standoff that ended when officers broke the car window and used a Taser on Glass and then ultimately shot Glass, killing him. On May 23, Glass’ family settled
SEE ROAD WORK, P5
SEE ALBERS, P2
Kurt Kionka, CDOT Floyd Hill project director (left) and Austin Knapp, project engineer PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL at Kraemer North America (right).
already underway. Expect concrete barriers to be in place soon on the south side to protect traffic and workers as they carve 40 feet from the mountain to allow for additional lanes. Approximately $700 million in state and federal dollars will be spent. This includes the largest single grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to Colorado:
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