Safety-Improvements Underway on SH 172 South of US 160

LA PLATA COUNTY – Work is underway to improve safety on a section of SH 172 south of the US 160 intersection. The four-mile project, which lies between MP 24 (at Elmore’s Corner/US 160 junction) and MP 20 (at CR 223), involves minor widening of the highway north of CR 220 and adjacent to Florida Mesa Elementary School, adding a center turn lane. The 4,000-foot-long, 16-foot-wide center turn lane will enable safer turn movements into and out of the school, as well as west-side properties. The work will also widen the shoulders to 8 feet, mill and resurface the highway and improve drainage.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through the project’s completion in late September, motorists will encounter single-lane, alternating traffic within the work zone, from 9 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday (two lanes of traffic will be maintained prior to 9 AM each day). Starting August 22, when the school year begins, there will be no impacts to travel between 3 PM and 6 PM each day (thus, lane closures will occur between 9 AM and 3 PM).

The project was contracted to Elam Construction of Grand Junction for $2.6 million. For project questions or comments, the public may call the contractor’s hotline at 970-749-7485.

CDOT crews greatly appreciate motorists’ patience during this safety-improvement project. Thank you for going “Slow for the Cone Zone!” To get information about other CDOT projects, the public may call 511, log onto CDOT’s traveler information site at www.cotrip.org or sign up to receive e-mails or text messages via CDOT’s web site at www.coloradodot.info.