El Paso County and its construction partners won the 2018 Best in Colorado award in the Rural Highway New or Reconstruction Category. The County was honored for the Marksheffel Road South Improvement Project at a recent awards dinner held by the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association. El Paso County shares the honor with Schmidt Construction and Wildcat Construction
At the Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018 Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, County Engineer Jennifer Irvine and Department of Public Works Executive Director Jim Reid presented the award to the Commissioners.
“When we all come together, we can make great things happen,” said El Paso County Engineer Jennifer Irvine. “Project manager Dennis Barron did an exceptional job bringing all the key stakeholders together. We are proud to be partners with local companies and other municipalities to deliver great work and serve our community.”
The Marksheffel Road South Improvement Project was completed in May 2017. The 11-mile corridor was widened to four lanes through the northern most section of the project. Further south important safety improvements included realignment to eliminate sharp curves and the addition of wider shoulders.
The more than $32 million project was led by El Paso County project manager Dennis Barron with Wildcat Construction serving as the general contractor and Schmidt Construction overseeing asphalt operations. The project was funded by the voter-approved Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA).
“The improved roadway greatly enhances public safety along that route,” Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez said. “Residents in southern El Paso County now have an improved option when traveling to northern parts of the County.”
The El Paso County Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of more than 2,200 miles of public roadway.