A new system designed to prevent big rigs from heading east from Aspen over Independence Pass won’t be installed before the Grand Avenue Bridge closes in Glenwood Springs in August.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and Pitkin County are teaming on a project to try to prevent vehicles longer than 35 feet from trying to negotiate the pass. The system won’t be in place until late August or early September, according to a CDOT official.
There’s been an increasing problem in recent years with vehicles, especially tractor-trailers, ignoring signs warning of the length prohibition. Larger vehicles cannot make the tight turns effectively, resulting in delays for all traffic. The state passed a law raising the fine for driving a large vehicle on Independence Pass to $1,500, but the problem has persisted.
By most accounts, it’s expected to get worse during the 95-day closure of the Grand Avenue Bridge in Glenwood Springs starting Aug. 14. Drivers of large vehicles will likely use their onboard GPS systems to seek alternate routes. The systems typically don’t warn about length restrictions.
“I think it’s going to be a complete cluster. We’re anticipating a huge increase in use of the pass,” said Karin Teague, executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation.
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