Today's Highway Traffic Impacts for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

August 23, 2011 - Statewide Transportation - CHAFFEE, GUNNISON, AND SAGUACHE COUNTIES — Stage One of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge takes place today. The race will travel from Salida over Monarch Pass and then through Gunnison, Almont, and Crested Butte before finishing the stage in Mount Crested Butte.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) traveler information website (www.cotrip.org) lists today’s closures and motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s real-time email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon. Times for delays and closures are estimates and may be subject to change. Additional and unforeseen delays of up to 30 minutes are possible on local roads.

Summary of Today’s Impacts:

Highway/Delay

Description

Expected Closure/Delay Start Time

Expected Re-Open Time

Hazardous or oversize/overweight vehicles

All hazardous material, oversize/overweight vehicles will be delayed for the duration of the closure at the intersection of US 50 and State Highway 114. Expect delays of up to five hours.

9:45 a.m.

2:45 p.m.

Eastbound US 50/Monarch Pass at State Highway 114

Eastbound US 50/Monarch Pass closed at State Highway 114. Motorists are encouraged to use the detour on State Highway 114. See detour map for SH 50.

9:45 a.m.

2:45 p.m.

US 285

 

Expect 15 minute delays on northbound and southbound US 285 between Poncha Springs (US 50) and State Highway 291.

9:45 a.m.

12:45 p.m.

Westbound US 50/Monarch Pass at US 285 (near Poncha Springs)

Westbound US 50/Monarch Pass closed at US 285. See detour map for SH 50.

Noon

12:45 p.m.

US 50

Expect 30 minute delays on eastbound and westbound US 50 between Gunnison and State Highway 114.

1:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

State Highway 135

Expect 30 minute delays on northbound and southbound State Highway 135 between Gunnison and Mount Crested Butte.

1:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

Eastbound US 50 in Gunnison

Eastbound US 50 closed in Gunnison until race passes through town. There is no detour.

1:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

State Highway 135

Southbound State Highway 135 in Mount Crested Butte closed when the race enters Almont. There is no detour.

2:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Cottonwood Pass

Cottonwood Pass will close August 23 to prepare and preserve the dirt road for the race. No traffic will be allowed on the dirt at any time during the race.

Pass entry from the east and west via County Road 306 will be permitted up to the closure.

Closure from State Highway 24 about 12 miles west of Buena Vista (Denny Creek Trailhead) on County Road 306.

Closure from State Highway 135 via Almont is directly east of Taylor Park Reservoir.

Aug 23 at 3 p.m.

Aug 24 at 1 p.m.

 

CDOT would like to remind spectators to abide by parking and camping guidelines (http://cotrip.org/content/usapcc/camping.html). If any area becomes overwhelmed with vehicles, including trailers, or the number of vehicles in an area is deemed excessive, CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) may clear the area and require vehicles to move to another location.

Although road closures are in place for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists will be allowed to pass through under the guidance of CSP, race officials, and race volunteers as long as they do not pose a safety threat to the race, the riders, or other spectators.