This week, the Colorado Department of Transportation will close down State Highway 224 under Iinterstate 76 for bridge demolition. State Highway 224 is the section of road that connects 70th Avenue to 74th Avenue in Commerce City east of Washington Street.

This is part of a CDOT project using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that will replace four bridges on I-76 over State Highway 224 and over the Union Pacific Railroad, 7 miles east of Interstate 25. The existing bridges, originally constructed in 1967, are in poor condition and in great need of replacement.

Wednesday and Thursday nights State Highway 224 will be closed in both directions so work crews can demolish one bridge. The closures begin at 7 p.m. and last until 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The detour for drivers on westbound SH 224 will turn right onto Dahlia Street where they will travel up to the frontage road and turn left. They will take the frontage road back to SH 224. Motorists on eastbound SH 224 will be taken off of SH 224 and directed to the frontage road where they will turn left. They will take the frontage road to Dahlia Street and turn right to rejoin SH 224.

Throughout the project, lane closures can be expected Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Full closures of SH 224 may be required when bridge demolition, girder installation and deck panel installation take place.

SEMA Construction Co. of Centennial, CO is the contactor for this $11 million project. The entire project is scheduled to be complete by January 2011.