CDOT Gets $5M For New Sprinkler System At Eisenhower Tunnel

The Eisenhower Tunnel (credit: CBS)

DENVER (CBS4) Its one of the Colorado Department of Transportations biggest concerns in the high county, and now a bipartisan effort is bringing millions for a new fire sprinkler system in the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels.

CBS4s Jeff Todd got a tour of the tunnels Monday and found out significant money could help during dangerous situations.

Its something CDOT wanted to get going, but last year the state didnt have any money, and when they turned to the federal government, they were left empty handed. But after a bipartisan bill in the last session, $5 million is what workers are calling a jumpstart on the sprinkler project in the tunnels.

The safety of the facility has always been paramount for us, Mike Salamon with CDOT said.

With the nearest fire department at least 20 minutes away, the CDOT fire brigade has seen its fair share of work over the years from cars overheating as they approach 11,000 feet in elevation.

We see on the range of two to three automobile fires a year. Weve had some very, very close calls over the last 40 years, Salamon said.

An example is an RV that caught fire in 2000. An observant crew member in the control room at the tunnel stopped traffic, likely saving lives.

Heat and smoke are the two biggest dangers inside the tunnel.

Its really just a great big chimney and depending on the intensity of the fire, it could become more and more dangerous, Salamon said.

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CDOT Gets $5M For New Sprinkler System At Eisenhower Tunnel