Driving from Fort Collins to Estes Park (Longmont, Loveland: 2013, construction)

[Bhaalspawn]

I know that the Big Thompson River area suffered many washed out roads during the floods. Has the main road from Longmont to Estes Park been repaired?

[Neditate]

US 36 is open but is under construction.
The CDOT site reads: The delays and closures on US 36 will greatly impact traffic, and CDOT strongly recommends the use of US 34 between Loveland and Estes Park.
Check the CDOT website for updates and info on closures and delays: US 36 Lyons to Estes — CDOT
Info on US 34: US 34 Big Thompson Canyon — CDOT

[Idunn]

I've heard that there is ongoing road construction on portions of US36 between Lyons and Estes Park, related to the flood damage suffered in September 2013. That possible delays can be sizable, possibly on the order of 30 minutes or more. No idea beyond that.

I know that—save on weekends, when they do not seem to work—that one can expect certain delays on US34 between Loveland and Estes Park. There are several areas in the canyon where road (and related river) construction is ongoing, and one may suffer brief delays due one-lane with flagmen. Last week the significantly longest delays were at the narrows at the mouth of the canyon, just west of the Dam Store. A good portion is one-lane with flagmen. Digital signs advise of a 30-minute delay. Perhaps I was fortunate, but in driving through on several different days the longest I had to wait in line to pass through was about 10 minutes.

One can likely expect a similar scenario—only with appreciably more traffic come summer—throughout much of this year. Both US36 and US34 have had new pavement in place in washed out sections since autumn of 2013. However quickly installed to allow access into Estes Park. Construction towards what they consider permanent roads could be a long process.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by Idunn

I've heard that there is ongoing road construction on portions of US36 between Lyons and Estes Park, related to the flood damage suffered in September 2013. That possible delays can be sizable, possibly on the order of 30 minutes or more. No idea beyond that..

Yes, that is why I posted the link to CDOT in my reply - so that people could check it for delays and closures. They do work on US36 on the weekends, by the way.

I cut and pasted this from the CDOT site:

• Saturday, April 5: Stops of 30 minutes
• Sunday, April 6: Stops of 30 minutes
• Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Stops of 15 minutes
• Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Stops of one hour (except for Wednesday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when a three hour delay is scheduled)
• Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night: Stops of 30 minutes
• Saturday, April 12: Stops of 30 minutes

[headingtoDenver]

The wife and I went to RMNP through Estes park and we took 36 from Lyons. We went last Saturday and the delays were pretty significant. We were delayed almost 1 1/2 hours due to the construction. They have big parts of the road down to 1 lane and because of the construction, you are escorted down the road. We couldn't complain though because I had 'heard' that 36 was open, but I didn't check for delays on-line before heading out.. We took 34 out of Estes Park when leaving and it was smooth sailing on that road.