Erika from Denver writes, “What is driving you crazy? The perpetual patch of water on the underpass of I-225 heading south onto I-25. It always exists in both lanes and come winter will be a lovely patch of ice for 4 months. Even when there hasn't been any precipitation for weeks this water still exists. I've slid on the patch several times in the winter because you don't think there will be ice when there hasn't been any rain/snow for weeks on end. Super dangerous in winter and it literally never goes away, ever, for years this water/ice patch has existed.”
Erica, I posed your question to the maintenance folks at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and they tell me that they are aware of the patch of water at that underpass. Their first thought is there is an issue with the irrigation system on the land next to the highway that does not belong to CDOT. However, they admit that the water could be a result of a natural spring in the area that is allowing for the constant flow of water no matter the season.
CDOT Region 1 communications manager Emily Wilfong tells me they are early in the process to solve the problem.
“We're in contact with local and state agencies to find out who owns it and to make sure the issue is taken care of,” Wilfong said.
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My first thought when I heard it could be a spring causing the standing water was, let’s bottle that stuff and call it I-25 Spring Water. But I’m pretty sure CDOT doesn’t want to go into the bottled water business.
Incidentally, I’ve noticed another patch of standing water on the ramp from University to northbound I-25 when I head into work around 3:15 a.m. CDOT says they normally don’t see water there on a regular basis so it is most likely from irrigation in the area but they will take a look nonetheless.
Denver7 traffic reporter Jayson Luber says he has been covering Denver-metro traffic since Ben-Hur was driving a chariot. (We believe the actual number is about 20 years.) He's obsessed with letting viewers know what's happening on their drive and the best way to avoid the problems that spring up. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
