EL PASO COUNTY — Snow storm procedures are changing through The Gap construction project from Monument to Castle rock.
This winter season the construction zone will follow some protocols of i-70 in Colorado’s high country.
"If they start seeing issues, they'll do a safety closure so they can clear that up," said Michelle Peulen with Colorado Department of Transportation, “We don't want to close the roads, but if we see safety concerns, we e will definitely implement a safety closure through The Gap.
A closure is worst case scenario. There are other preventive measures, likely with most storms. The number one is a major speed limit reduction during snow events.
“It's going to be 45. As conditions deteriorate, we will lower that more if necessary," Peulen said.
Colorado State Patrol Troopers will work with CDOT to enforce the speed rules.
Snow removal is difficult through the nearly 15 miles of The Gap project because of all the barriers and lane restrictions. It is also more dangerous for other drivers who get neat plows at work.
Passing plows during a storm is always discouraged, through The Gap it is not allowed.
The restrictions and possible closures are intended to prevent chain reaction crashes like several that happened the previous snow season.
They resulted in extended closures to clean-up the mess. A preventive closure is typically much shorter than one involving wrecked vehicles.
