CDOT seeking $1.3 million to expand Safety Patrol program, including on I-70 mountain corridor
The expansion would allow the Safety Patrol program to provide coverage seven days a week on I-70, rather than just weekends
Andrew Maciejewski/Summit Daily News
The Colorado Department of Transportation is seeking $1.3 million to expand its Safety Patrol, including along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor.
CDOT Deputy Chief Financial Officer Bethany Nicholas told the Colorado Transportation Commission during its work session last month that the funds would help purchase six new vehicles and hire two full-time teams to fill “operational gaps” on I-70 and Interstate 25.
“The hope here is really to improve traffic flows, clear up incident clearance times and, the most important thing, (is) to reduce the risk of secondary crashes on these really high-volume routes,” Nicholas said.
The transportation department’s Safety Patrol program operates in partnership with local law enforcement and emergency responders to provide free roadside assistance and help clear minor accidents quickly, according to the CDOT website.
On the I-70 mountain corridor, the expansion would allow the Safety Patrol to go from offering just weekend coverage to having coverage seven days a week, Nicholas said. On north I-25, the expansion would allow for 24/7 coverage, she said.
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The funding request is expected to be back before the Transportation Commission for a vote in March.
