CDOT Begins Project to Improve US 491 From Cahone to Utah State

DOLORES COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor W.W. Clyde US 491 will begin a project this week to improve 18 miles of US 491 from Cahone to the Utah State Line, as well as make safety improvements in downtown Dove Creek. W. W. Clyde was awarded the $4.8 million contract for the work, which is scheduled for completion by late August.

The project involves an asphalt overlay on US 491 from milepost 52 to 70 (essentially two miles north of the Montezuma/Dolores county line to the Utah border). Additional work outside town includes paving of the dirt shoulders; replacing existing centerline and edge-line rumble strips; and highway striping. Work within Dove Creek will involve installation of some half dozen *ADA-compliant ramps through town; milling the top layer of asphalt and then resurfacing the south-side bridge over Dove Creek; and increasing the safety at County Road M by realigning it and restriping the junction to include a left-turn lane onto CR M from southbound US 491.

“The resurfacing will provide a smoother ride for motorists and cyclists along this stretch, and it will extend the service life of the roadway by about 10 years, depending on traffic volumes and weather impacts.” CDOT Region 5 Transportation Director Kerrie Neet said. “We are also adding safety features for pedestrians in town, which have been long needed.”

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Throughout the duration of the project, motorist can expect some travel delays with single-lane, alternating traffic through work zones Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

INFORMATION: For questions or comments the public may call the project information line at (970) 564-7870. 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.

*Americans with Disabilities Act