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Closures Continue On Highway 36, But Some Relief Coming Soon

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4) - If it's not construction, then it's jams, accidents and rush hour that continually slow down traffic on Highway 36 between Denver and Boulder.

As part of the major construction project going on to improve the roadway, all this week closures near the Sheridan Boulevard bridge are taking place each night beginning at 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. the next morning.

"We are getting that structure ready so that we can replace it. We're looking to have that complete at the end of October but right now we're doing that prep work to get the bridge ready for that replacement," said Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Emily Wilfong.

Highway 36 Traffic
Traffic backed up on U.S. 36 (credit: CBS)

The project to improve the Boulder Turnpike, as the highway is known, will add express lanes for HOV vehicles and commuter bike lanes. Overall, it's about halfway done and the expected completion date is mid-2015.

Despite the constant headaches for drivers, noticeable changes are not too far off in the future, according to CDOT.

"Within the next couple months folks will be back on the finished pavement on eastbound US36, so that is going to be our first major milestone that people will notice," Wilfong said.

This week's closures will continue through Friday morning.

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