A lot of effort goes into making sure that an engineering feat like the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT) is safe and relevant to the thousands of drivers who cross it every day.
“This is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation to not only maintain it, maintain roads and operations in and out of the tunnel, but take care of it,” said Tamara Rollison, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation. is being done to improve the performance of the tunnel and repair the tunnel for years to come.”
CDOT reports that EJMT, which has served Colorado for 50 years, currently has some loopholes and employees will be looking to transfer a total of $50 million between 2022 and 2024 due to Senate Bill 260 and the state’s new venture over bridges and tunnels. Several projects to fix the vulnerability. CDOT stated that the improvements “will enhance passenger safety, improve connectivity with other U.S. cargo networks, and increase economic viability along Colorado’s only continuous East-West interstate.”
The Eisenhower Tunnel opened in 1973 (the Johnson Tunnel opened in 1979), Rollison explained, and it took a lot of planning and work.
Read more: Connecting East and West for 50 Years: The Story of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel in Colorado
“It took a lot of sweat, a lot of blood and a lot of tears to build and open this tunnel in 1973 and keep it running for 50 years. Many, many years to come,” she said.
CDOT has a 10-year vision plan that lists the state’s priority projects. Approximately $50 million has been invested in rehabilitating EJMT’s aging infrastructure as part of a major construction project starting in the summer of 2022. The new funding will bring another $100 million to support projects related to the tunnels.
The first of four planned projects was completed in November last year. This project focused on replacing and restoring the grout supporting the walls of the North Tunnel.
The design also considered the wall panels of the North Tunnel and steel hangars that act as struts to prevent the top of the panels from tipping forward. According to CDOT, ice buildup can cause panels to shift. Through the program, officials were able to inspect every panel and hangar and replace damaged panels.
The longest and most expensive of the four projects is dedicated to tunnel drainage, piping and heating systems (DPHT). The project, which began last fall, is expected to end in fall 2024. The estimated cost is $27.7 million.
For repairs, CDOT will remove and replace the tunnel’s existing heating tape, insulated wire that uses heat to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes. However, the department does not stop there.
As part of this project, CDOT will add more heating tapes to the outdoor roof gutters, as well as controls to turn on the heating tapes and control the lines. These controls will be programmed into the new monitoring system.
The department is considering adding heating tape to the tunnel collection system and drain pipes to prevent freezing.
Crews will upgrade water treatment facilities and add new fire hose connections to each tunnel to provide better access for first responders.
CDOT anticipates one lane closure at night and possible total closure. In this case, the crews will alternate moving through another hole in the tunnel.
Engineers in Colorado are always struggling with water, especially in winter and spring. Freezing and eventual thawing can damage infrastructure.
According to CDOT, this third project aims to repair the structural lining inside the tunnel walls to reduce water intrusion.
CDOT said it expects the impact on traffic to be minimal and may close selected lanes overnight.
With the warm months approaching, many of us want to change and update the look of our homes. CDOT has the same idea, looking to upgrade a tunnel’s service area or entrance.
CDOT plans to replace fire extinguisher cabinets, install a new de-icing system, and repair the loop and parking area around the tunnel for maintenance crews and first responders.
Drivers should not see any traffic impact during this project. Some traffic lanes may be closed at night.
CDOT is planning minor repairs, including the replacement of several billboards and cameras in the tunnel to monitor traffic flow and any incidents. Crews will also repair the roof of the tunnel.
Post time: Mar-08-2023