I-25 contractor is fined for traffic delay

The contractor being paid $130 million to complete the extensive Interstate 25 COSMIX project was fined more than $20,000 this week for disrupting the morning rush hour Tuesday.

Rockrimmon Constructors’ contract with the Colorado Department of Transportation limits lane closures on I-25 to between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Tuesday morning, one northbound lane from Bijou to Uintah remained closed until 9 a.m. and traffic backed up for miles during the morning rush, CDOT officials said.

“They know they are supposed to be off the road by 5:30,” said CDOT spokesman Bob Wilson. “They have to be responsible for their own actions.”

The $22,400 fine must be paid in cash, rather than being deducted from the final bill for COSMIX.

“It tends to have more of an impact, and it really stresses the importance of the fine,” Wilson said.

This is the second time the company has been fined for extended lane closures.

Rockrimmon Constructors could not be reached for comment.