Closure Of Clear Creek Canyon Upsets Some Golden Businesses
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado Department of Transportation will keep Highway 6 through Clear Creek Canyon closed during the week for the next seven weeks.
Starting on Sunday, crews are closing Highway 6 from Golden to Highway 119 from 11 p.m. on Sundays through 10 a.m. on Fridays until June 29.
CDOT is installing a large fiber optic cable so there will be a wireless signal in the canyon. It's also using the time to do rock mitigation and tunnel work.
Outfitters who rely on kayakers and fishermen say the timing could not be worse because it comes at the height of high water season.
"This is really the crux of our season, it's a very seasonal business that we own," said Patty Pinkham with Golden River Sports. "The majority of our money comes in now between April and mid-July."
CDOT explained the timing had to be just right to do the project.
"We had to do work in the spring because we're doing a lot of rockfall work," Stacey Stegman with CDOT said. "A lot of our work is weather and temperature dependent so there isn't a great time. And then we also have to work with all the casinos to figure out when is the optimum time for them."
CDOT said it will work with some companies to escort clients into the area but Golden River Sports says that does nothing to help their sales of equipment to individuals.
