Major construction activities and Castle Creek Road lane closures will begin on August 5, 2019 for phase I construction of the Castle Creek Corridor Improvement Project which, includes the Castle Creek Trail. Phase I will begin with rockfall mitigation on the west side (or uphill lane) of Castle Creek Road between the Marolt Trail crossing and the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) entrance. Rockfall mitigation work is expected to continue through October.
“Rockfall mitigation work will begin with removal of loose rocks and debris and extensive rock work, utilizing large machinery,” explained Gary Tennenbaum, Director of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. “Our goal is to minimize impacts to residents and the travelling public, but there is a lot of technical rock work and excavation that crews have to accomplish. Be sure to plan a little extra travel time for stopped traffic on Castle Creek Road and thank you in advance for your patience.”
The rockfall mitigation work includes rock scaling, installing a soil nail wall and constructing Redi Rock walls in areas to build structural support. Scaling crews will also change the slope and grade of the rock wall. By changing the grade to a consistent a slope, safety for all corridor users will be improved and future rockfall will be mitigated. Shoulder and soil nail wall construction will alternate between the east and west sides of the roadway. Anchors will be placed at the top of west-side rock wall; wire mesh and cable netting will mitigate rockfall.
“All of the project elements from rockfall mitigation to the trail itself are aimed at improving safety in the corridor,” said Austin Weiss, Director of City of Aspen Parks and Open Space. “The final design is rooted in community collaboration and will serve locals and visitors. It is thrilling to see the project move forward.”
Construction of corridor improvements will begin with rockfall work in 2019 then continue into the summer of 2020 with the construction of the .06-mile trail. Trail construction will not begin until summer of 2020. Trail construction will occur on the east side of Castle Creek Road beginning with cutting asphalt and adding road base.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS ON CASTLE CREEK ROAD
- Two lanes of Castle Creek Rd. will remain open until just north of the entrance to Aspen Valley Hospital.
- One lane of traffic (alternating one-way) will be in place throughout the trail work area. Areas of closures will be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the work area. Traffic control will be in place utilizing temporary, timed traffic signal devices. Flaggers will be in the area as needed during the daytime.
- Most of the work will occur along the west/uphill side of the road.
- Construction activities will be sequenced to minimize the distance of the one-lane closures. The length of lane closures will vary based on construction activities.
- Crews may be working in multiple locations within the work area. Please proceed slowly in the construction areas and follow posted signage.
- During rock scaling operations, expect short, intermittent traffic stops for both directions of traffic.
- Weekend work is possible.
CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Cyclists and pedestrians should use caution while passing through the traffic-controlled area. Cyclists should queue behind motorists to facilitate safer passage through the construction site. Pedestrians are encouraged to utilize the Aspen Music School & Festival shuttle bus for access to the AMFS/Aspen Country Day campus.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Interested individuals can learn more and sign up for project email updates at pitkinostprojects.com/castle-creek-corridor-improvement-project. Ongoing project progress information and roadway impacts will be routinely distributed and published. Project and construction information will also be updated on the project information line, 970-340-4335.
ABOUT THE CASTLE CREEK TRAIL PROJECT
The primary objective of the Castle Creek Trail project is to provide a safer trail route in the Castle Creek Road corridor that connects to the regional trail system in Aspen and Pitkin County for cyclists and pedestrians. The roadway has a lack of shoulder area, extremely steep roadside slopes and limited visibility. Travel along the road can be hazardous, particularly for pedestrians and less experienced cyclists. Major users of the corridor include residents, road cyclists, Marolt Ranch housing residents, Aspen Valley Hospital staff, and the students, staff, and visitors of the Aspen Music Festival and School / Aspen Country Day School campus. The trail design addresses enhanced trail and road user safety, accessibility, maintenance, feasibility and public input.
Contact: Gary Tennenbaum, Director of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, at gary.tennenbaum@pitkincounty.com or 970-920-5355