CDOT Begins Project to Improve US 285 Monte Vista North

RIO GRANDE COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor APC Southern Construction Company will begin a project this Thursday, June 6, to improve a section of US 285 north of Monte Vista. The work, contracted to APC for $4.3 million, is scheduled for completion in late August, prior to Labor Day.

This project starts at mile point (MP) 51 (starting just south of the railroad tracks in town) and extends north to MP 60.25. The work will remove and replace the top layer of asphalt in the stretch of highway where curb and gutter exists, as well as provide an asphalt overlay to the remaining length of the work zone. In addition, a new drainage system will be constructed; this will consist of 660 linear feet drainage pipe installed underneath the highway, running north and south, under center-turn lane.  Four cross culverts will also be installed, running perpendicularly underneath the highway and connecting with the center-line drainage pipe.

“This project improves the surface of a stretch of highway that is heavily cracked and also rutted from heavy truck traffic,” CDOT Region 5 Program Engineer Ed Archuleta said.  “The new drainage system will mitigate a long-term maintenance problem we’ve had in this area.”

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Throughout the duration of the project, motorist can expect some travel delays with single-lane, alternating traffic through the work zone, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

INFORMATION: For project information or questions the public may call (719)-849-0946. Updated information on this or other CDOT projects is also available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511. 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/areas you can subscribe to.