Cascade businesses talk about Highway 24 construction

Deadly flooding is a threat along Ute Pass whenever there’s heavy rain. It’s been a problem since the Waldo Canyon fire.

Since then, heavy rains cause water to go over the road instead of under it.

Colorado Department of Transportation crews are working on a project that will make sure that history does not repeat itself.

That means traffic delays along Highway 24.

A new culvert is being put in to handle water coming out of Waldo Canyon. Construction will cut the number of lanes from four to two for several weeks.

But a holiday means a delay in the construction work. Equipment was sitting along the highway in Ute Pass Monday.

With the construction there will be traffic delays. There’s usually whining when it comes to waiting. For some the reason for making the trip is – wine.

People come from all over the state and nation to visit Wines of Colorado in Cascade.

Marv Parliament is the owner of the shop and restaurant. He says, “I’m glad that they’re doing it now instead of in the summertime.”

At Pikes Peak Gourmet Popcorn, the busiest time of the day is bewteen 4 and 5:30 – the peak time for the summer thunderstorms.

When it rained last summer, people would avoid the highway. The manager believes that won’t be a problem any more.

“Over time, people are going topanic less, especially with all of the progress that they’ve made,” said Karen Bodine.

While it may be an inconvenience for the next few weeks, both Parliament and Bodine say that it will be worth it.

During the construction, traffic will be diverted to one side of the highway and then the other.