A segment of Interstate 70 near Grand Junction is getting some much-needed safety upgrades.

The improvements will take place between mile points 30 and 32 near Horizon Drive. Crews will be replacing and installing cable rails and guard rails along the center median and shoulders to get the road's safety measures up to current standards.

Here's what that means to motorists.

Beginning September 10, there will be alternating lane shifts and closures in both directions of I-70 with a speed limit of 55mph. Work is being done between 7 am to 7 pm so both the morning and afternoon "rush hours" will be affected. Motorists can expect some minor delays and should allow a little extra time to get to work in the morning.

The project is expected to be complete by December. so the reduced speed limit is going to be in place for quite a while.

Anything that can be done to make this stretch of interstate safer is a good thing. Personally, I think a slight reduction in the speed limit in the Horizon Drive area would be a step in the right direction, but likely not to happen.

The next several weeks will present a slight inconvenience to motorists, but that should be more than worth it for the improved safety of I-70 travelers.

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