FASTER Funds Safety Improvements on US 160 Between Monte Vista and Alamosa
ALAMOSA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor APC Southern Construction Company are constructing passing lanes on US 160 between Monte Vista and Alamosa. This highway safety improvement project, contracted for $5.8 million, is funded in part with Colorado FASTER* funds.
The project is located between mileposts 222 and 226—from the Monte Vista/Alamosa County line east to Alamosa CR 103. Work consists of widening the current two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway (two lanes each direction), with 12-foot lanes, 10-foot shoulders and a 16-foot median. Construction is anticipated to be complete in June 2013.
“Congestion for us in southwest Colorado means getting stuck in a train of cars behind a slow moving vehicle like an RV or tractor,” CDOT Region 5 Transportation Director Kerrie Neet said. “Most of our roads are two-lane highways with very few passing lanes. Accidents happen when motorists try to pass the slower vehicle, taking risks when on-coming traffic is high. This project provides a needed opportunity for safe passing and will reduce the travel time for commuters and visitors in the San Luis Valley. Wider shoulders will add additional safety features for motorists and bicyclists.”
TRAFFIC IMPACTS: Work hours throughout the project will be 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph during these hours, so motorists should allow for travel delays up to 10 minutes. All business and residence access will be maintained, but may be temporarily altered. Motorists should be advised that there are no wide load restrictions. Thanks for going Slow for the Cone Zone!
CONTACT INFORMATION: The public may get project information by calling (719) 849-0678 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. To help motorists plan their travel, CDOT offers an e-mail and text message service that provides updates on road conditions, construction projects and other CDOT news. Signing up to receive updates is easy and free (standard text messaging rates apply). Visit CDOT’s website at www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in upper right corner entitled “Sign up for Email and Wireless Alerts.” Travelers can also call 511 from anywhere in the state, or log onto http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/active-construction-projects to view CDOT’s lane closure reports and statewide construction map.
*FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Treatment and Economic Recovery) was established by the Colorado General assembly via Senate Bill 09-108 to fund the repair of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges and make safety improvements to Colorado’s key corridors.
