Crews Resume Rockfall Mitigation Work on Highway 82 Near Carbondale

Standing on the side of Highway 82 near Carbondale, the sound of traffic humming in the distance, you can't help but notice the Red Hill rockface looming above. The sun casts a golden glow over the scene, but the beauty is tempered by the knowledge that this stretch of road has been prone to rockfalls. Come Monday, crews will resume work on the rockfall mitigation project, aiming to complete the final stages in as little as two weeks.

The project, a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Rock Supremacy, began in mid-May 2025. Before the winter shutdown in November, crews had already installed about 85,000 square feet of mesh netting, with around 30,000 square feet still needed to complete the system. For context, that's roughly the size of two football fields. Chuck Marsh, Northwest Colorado Regional Communications Manager for CDOT, notes that all blasting, scaling, drilling, and installation of rock anchors and posts were completed last year. This phase of the work is focused on finishing the mesh netting installation.

Crews will work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, intentionally avoiding the busiest commute hours. Marsh explains, "We wanted them starting after most of the traffic had made their way through, and then finishing off before the evening traffic." This schedule is designed to minimize disruptions to the heavy traffic on Highway 82. The speed limit through the work zone will be reduced to 45 mph, and flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.

To expedite the completion of the mesh netting installation, crews will utilize a helicopter to lift and place the heavy metal mesh nettings. During these operations, both northbound and southbound traffic will be stopped for safety reasons. Drivers should anticipate delays of up to 20 minutes during helicopter work. Marsh emphasizes, "We don’t want anybody underneath when a helicopter is lifting up these big, heavy metal mesh nettings." The safety of the workers and the public is the top priority.

The project's overall goal is to enhance safety along this stretch of Highway 82. Once completed, the improvements will include culvert cleaning, rock scaling, the installation of 100 anchors, 21 posts, and a total of about 115,000 square feet of mesh netting. These measures are designed to prevent rockfalls and protect the road and its users.

Let's do the math: if the project takes the full two weeks to complete, and assuming a five-day workweek, that's ten working days. With the helicopter's assistance, the crew hopes to finish the remaining work sooner, which would be a welcome relief for commuters. On paper, the plan seems solid, but in practice, the weather and other project conditions could still impact the timeline.

For locals, the practical impact is the potential for delays and the need to plan their commutes accordingly. The reduced speed limit and the presence of flaggers will also require drivers' attention. While the end result will be a safer road, the short-term inconvenience is unavoidable. As Marsh notes, "We’re doing all we can do to best work with the traffic, because we know it’s heavy on 82 even on good days." The community will have to be patient and adapt to the temporary changes.

In the end, the completion of this project will cost taxpayers, but the exact figure isn't provided. What is clear, however, is that the safety improvements will be a valuable addition to the infrastructure of Highway 82, ultimately benefiting the community by reducing the risk of rockfalls and related accidents.