AASHTO Journal - Colorado DOT Deploys New Culvert Repair Technology

The Colorado Department of Transportation plans repair 20 culverts in five southwest and south-central Colorado counties with new technology; improvements made in partnership with contractor American West Construction.

[Above photo by Colorado DOT]

Beginning this July, crews will start using advanced liner technology on US Highway 24 culverts south of Buena Vista; liner material that has a 50-year design life. The liner allows for the trenchless rehabilitation of pipes while the pipe is still operational and in place. It is pulled into the existing culvert pipe using a special tool to inflate it, which eliminates any creases or damage and creates a smooth internal surface, the agency said.

[Editor’s note: Culverts are but one part of the overall effort by the agency to protect the state’s waterway ecosystems. The video below shows how Colorado DOT’s permanent water quality team aids in that protective effort.]

Colorado DOT noted that this new culvert lining technology requires less time and creates fewer impacts on the traveling public by avoiding trenching and major excavation. The process starts with clearing the area around the culvert openings, cleaning the culvert itself, then installing the liner itself, which takes a matter of hours. For most culverts, the entire operation for one repair takes only one day, the agency said.

“Culverts are critical features of our state highway system that handle water drainage, creeks. and streams flowing under roadways,” said Julie Constan, Colorado DOT’s regional transportation director, in statement. “Culvert improvements are absolutely necessary to lower the risks associated with water runoff and flooding, and to maintain safe driving conditions for motorists.”

She added that counties receiving the new culvert liners at sites on U.S. and state highways include Conejos, Montezuma, Archuleta, Chaffee, and La Plata. Colorado Highway 17 between the New Mexico border and Antonito will see the most repair activity, the agency noted, with eight culverts being upgraded.