US 160 Cortez to Mancos & Mesa Verde Interchange

MONTEZUMA COUNTY – Today, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Four Corners Materials begin a project to resurface and improve US 160 between Cortez and Mancos, including the interchange at Mesa Verde National Park. This $9.9 million project received $4.6 in federal Public Lands Highway (PLH) Funds (see accompanying press release, below). The work is scheduled for completion by late August 2012.

The US 160 project work zone—from west to east—extends from mile post 41 (just east of Cortez City limits) through mile post 55.4 (west of the SH 184 junction in Mancos). The work, contracted to Four Corners Materials, involves recycling the existing asphalt pavement and resurfacing the roadway with an asphalt overlay; rehabilitation of the Mesa Verde overpass/bridge (milling the surface to remedy any damaged areas, resurfacing and providing a waterproof membrane); repairs to concrete structures and abutments (where bridge meets land); guardrail adjustment; seeding and mulching; and new highway striping.

“We are very pleased to have received this federal funding, allowing us to accelerate the project,” CDOT Region 5 Transportation Director Kerrie Neet said. “Mesa Verde’s relocated visitor’s center is anticipated to bring a large increase in traffic volumes to this corridor, which has not seen any significant attention since 1997.”

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through August completion, work hours are Monday through Saturday from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. Motorists can expect some single-lane reductions, at times, and travel delays due to traffic slowing through the work zone. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

PROJECT INFORMATION: For additional information or questions about the project, please contact Four Corners Materials, Marty Punchak at (970) 247-2172.

For information about other CDOT projects, log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511 from anywhere in the state. To receive project updates via wireless device or e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including Southwest Colorado.