The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in partnership with Rock Supremacy, has announced a winter shutdown for the rockfall mitigation project along Colorado Highway 82 at Red Hill. The shutdown begins November 7 and is intended to ensure safety for workers and motorists during adverse winter conditions. Work is scheduled to resume in spring 2026.
The project began in mid-May on CO 82 Red Hill, covering Mile Point 11.7 to MP 12.2, located east of the intersection with CO 133. Activities completed so far include cleaning culverts, scaling rocks, installing 100 anchors and 21 posts, and placing approximately 90,000 square feet of mesh netting.
Jason Smith, CDOT Regional Transportation Director, explained the importance of the work: “Any loose surface material on a cliff or slope could present a rockfall hazard for motorists on the highway. The elimination of loose material decreases this potential hazard. The new post-mounted mesh system will help capture potential falling rocks and debris and deposit them into the catchment ditch safely off of the road surface.”
When construction resumes next spring, daytime work will occur Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic impacts will include single-lane closures, reduced speed limits to 45 MPH, width restrictions of 14 feet, and occasional traffic holds lasting up to 20 minutes.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2026.
More information about the project can be found at codot.gov/projects/co82rockfallmitigation.
