I-25 Trinidad Project receives American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Funds (ARRA)

When CDOT advertised the Trinidad Reconstruction project for bids in July 2006, there were only enough funds available to reconstruct northbound I-25. All bidding contractors were required to submit bids for both northbound and southbound work, however, making it possible to add southbound I-25 reconstruction to the contract in the event additional funding became available. Lawrence Construction Company was the successful low bidder and was awarded a $38.2 Million contract for northbound I-25 reconstruction. Work began in January 2007. Since Lawrence was also the low bidder for southbound reconstruction work with a $41.9 Million total bid, the contractor was eligible to have that work added if the necessary funding was secured.

In Spring 2008, CDOT obtained additional funding to add southbound I-25 reconstruction work to the contract. Unfortunately, there was only $36.7 Million available, so CDOT consulted with Federal Highway Adminstration and City of Trinidad officials regarding the approximately $5 Million "shortfall." To take advantage of the available limited funding, all agreed to defer various planned elements that were not critical to constructing new roadway, bridges, and structures. Therefore, in July 2008 Lawrence's contract was increased by $36.7 Million to add southbound I-25 reconstruction work.

In February 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed. CDOT received approximately $330 million in federal highway funding from the stimulus package and a portion of the ARRA funding was assigned to the I-25 through Trinidad Reconstruction project. With these funds, in June 2009 the previously deferred work was added to Lawrence's construction contract with a $5.3 Million change order. The elements of work added to the project with this latest funding included:

• Construction of a multi-use/pedestrian trail along the Purgatoire River, under and adjacent to the Main Street exit and entrance ramps. This construction included earthwork, pre-cast panel retaining walls, riprap, trail/path paving, and pedestrian guardrail. This work extended the City of Trinidad's planned trail to Van Buren Street, a distance of approximately 2500 feet.

• Construct and place numerous street-level improvements in El Corazon De Trinidad Historical District beneath the new I-25 viaducts. This construction included sidewalk, curb and gutter, asphalt paving, light standards, manholes and inlets, concrete storm sewer pipe, seeding, landscape boulders, trees and shrubs, and median patterned concrete.

• Bridge deck rehabilitation on the northbound Linden Bridge overpass structure.

• Replace railroad crossing pads/material at the Nevada Avenue and College Street intersection (performed by BNSF Railway).

All construction for the I-25 Trinidad reconstruction project, including all ARRA work, was completed in early Summer 2012.