State Highway 13 PCCP paving near Rifle, CO

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s project to reconstruct and improve safety on Colorado Highway 13 was completed in 2020. IHC Scott reconstructed approximately five miles of roadway, located 16 miles north of Rifle.

Concrete (PCCP) was the primary material for reconstruction on the project, which extended north and south of Rio Blanco County Road 5. IHC Crews also widened the shoulders and travel lanes between mile points 16.06 and 20.77. Additional safety improvements included: 

  • Drainage upgrades, including three under-highway corrugated steel drain pipes that were replaced with concrete box culverts
  • Embankment safety improvements
  • Sight distance improvements
  • Wildlife fencing 
  • New signing and striping

Work began in June 2019, with a seasonal shutdown during the 2019-2020 winter months, and resumed in Spring 2020. 

Like other roadway construction projects in northwest Colorado, the 2020 construction season brought challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and nearby wildfires. During the Interstate 70 Glenwood Canyon closure in August 2020, IHC Scott quickly responded by pausing the CO 13 project to accommodate heavy detour traffic. The project was paused for two weeks as wildland firefighters battled the Grizzly Creek Fire near I-70 in Glenwood Canyon. CDOT appreciated the speed and understanding with which IHC Scott responded to the unusual circumstances during the I-70 closure.