Ribbon cutting marks upcoming November opening of new I-70 West Parachute Interchange

Successful public-private partnership credited for improvements

PRESS RELEASE
October 31, 2012

GARFIELD COUNTY – Members of a successful public-private partnership gathered today, October 31, at the site of the new I-70 West Parachute Interchange to mark the quickly approaching November 12 completion date before the weather turns. The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contractor, SEMA Construction, began work on March 19 to construct the new interchange at approximately MP 72.

Funding for the interchange—which will have a total cost of $12 million—from Environmental Assessment to design and through construction) came from several sources: the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Town of Parachute, Garfield County, Battlement Mesa Company and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Additionally, the gas production companies of Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., and WPX Energy are
providing $150,000 per company per year for the calendar years of 2011 and 2012 (yielding a total of $600,000).

In addition to funding, Garfield County also assisted in the project with engineering support.

ribbon cutting for the West Parachute Interchange
State and local government officials participate in a ribbon cutting for the West Parachute Interchange project – photos by Renelle Lott