CDOT to Resurface US 285 North/South of Center

May 2, 2012 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - SAN LUIS VALLEY - The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin a project next Monday, May 7, to resurface a stretch of US 285 north and south of Center, in both Saguache and Rio Grande counties (between mile posts 60 and 77).

The 17-mile project will involve an asphalt recycling operation (described below), followed by a two-inch asphalt overlay, guardrail work, sign replacement and new striping. The work was contracted to A & S Construction for $6.26 million.

This stretch of road, according to CDOT’s Pavement Management System, is in poor condition and needs pavement rehabilitation.

“The pavement is cracked and deteriorating, but the base is still in very good condition,” CDOT Region 5 Pavement Manager Robert Shanks said. “To prevent deterioration of the roadway base due to the infiltration of moisture, a new paving surface should be installed.”

In order to reduce the amount of asphalt required for the project, crews will recycle the top two inches of the existing pavement—by removing it, heating and remixing it, and laying it back down. This will be followed by a two-inch layer of new asphalt.

“This treatment will remove cracks to a depth of two inches in the existing pavement and slow the reflection of existing cracks up into the new surface,” Shanks said.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS: From May 7 through July 24, motorists will encounter single lane, alternating traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. No weekend work is anticipated at this time.

For more information contact Bill Flowers, A & S Construction, at (719) 275-4555 or (719) 221-2223. For information on other CDOT projects, please call 511 or sign up to receive FREE highway information updates in the areas of your choice by going to www.coloradodot.info and choosing the green phone icon in the right-hand corner.