CO 74 Rockfall Mitigation Project September 2020 through February 2021

CO 74 Rockfall Mitigation Project
About the Project
The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Midwest Rockfall, Inc. will begin a rockfall mitigation project in Bear Creek Canyon, which is along Colorado Highway 74 between Morrison and Idledale. Work will involve week day full closures on CO 74 between Morrison and Idledale from Mile Point 16.1 to MP 18. Please see the detour map below.

The project will enhance safety for motorists and cyclists along CO 74 with a goal of preventing roadway damage or unexpected closures caused by a natural rockslide.

What work will be done?
Crews will conduct rock scaling operations, install anchored wire mesh and other rock reinforcement, and use polyurethane injections which is an innovative technology applied to fill the void between loose rocks.

Due to the nature of rockfall mitigation, full closures must occur for the safety of the traveling public. This part of CO 74 is a narrow canyon with limited areas for crews to maneuver equipment and the rock scaling operations may result in some rockfall on the roadway, which is why full closures are necessary during work hours.

Project Facts

• Cost: $2.9 Million
• Contractor: Midwest Rockfall Inc.
• Timeline: September - February 2021
• Location: CO 74 between Morrison and Idledale (Bear Creek Canyon)

Proposed Work Schedule

• Work is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and continue through Feb. 2021. However, these operations are weather and temperature dependent, and this schedule could change.


• The full closures will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8 and occur during working hours, Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No weekend work or closures are anticipated.

Traffic Impacts

• On Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Thursday, Sept. 3, crews will place traffic in a single-lane configuration on CO 74 with flaggers on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes.


• Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, there will be full closures of CO 74 between Morrison and Idedale (MP 16.1 -18) in place during working hours.


• Typical working hours will be 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No weekend work or closures are anticipated.


• This schedule will remain in effect through Feb. 2021. (weather permitting)


• Motorists are advised to follow the detour signs and seek alternate routes.


• Interstate 70 is the general detour route for east and westbound motorists.


• Local traffic on CO 74 can take Parmalee Gulch Rd southbound from Kittredge and use US 285 to connect with C-470, or head northbound via S Grapevine Road from Idledale to connect with I-70.


• These county roads (Parmalee Gulch and S Grapevine) are for local traffic only. Trucks or large vehicles should detour via I-70.


• Cyclists are prohibited from riding through the construction zone during the working hours listed above.


• Fishing in the creek below the work site will be “fish at your own risk”

Contact Us
Hotline: 720 572-4476
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Detour Map

Reminder: this project continues tomorrow and each week, Monday-Friday, until completed, estimated to be February 2021. There will be full closures of CO 74 between Morrison and Idedale (MP 16.1 -18) in place during working hours, 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No weekend work or closures are anticipated.

Shared by the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce from CDOT:

CDOT and contract partner Midwest Rockfall Inc. are pleased to announce the CO 74 Rockfall Mitigation Project is officially complete, and CO 74 is open to the traveling public. There will be no further traffic impacts along CO 74 related to this project.
Since the project began in September 2020, crews have scaled more than 6,000 tons of rocks in Bear Creek Canyon. Crews have also installed new rockfall mesh and other rock reinforcement to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists along CO 74 with a goal of preventing roadway damage or unexpected closures caused by a natural rockslide. Any areas of the road affected by scaling efforts have been patched to repair potholes. In addition to enhanced safety, the historical aesthetic features of the canyon have been preserved. Motorists and cyclists can continue to safely enjoy the beauty of Bear Creek Canyon.
We have appreciated your patience throughout this project, and hope that you enjoy traveling along CO 74 once again.
Thank you,
Public Information Team
CO 74 Rockfall Mitigation Project