CDOT Rockfall Mitigation on SH 145 at Ophir Travel Advisory Update

August 21, 2013 - TRAFFIC ADVISORY - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - 20-min traffic stops on SH 145 and San Miguel CR 63L this week; single-lane, alternating traffic on only SH 145 through next week, early Sept. possible.

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation and rockfall contractor Yenter Companies will continue the rock scaling over SH 145 and CR 63L at Ophir through this week. While the scaling portion of this mitigation work was initially planned to span just two days (this Monday and Tuesday), the up-side is that crews have only had to stop traffic for 20-minute intervals, not one hour as anticipated. Please note that drivers’ actual delays are exceeding 20 minutes as traffic queues are cleared in both directions.

The preventative rockfall mitigation is underway at a site near Ophir, south of Telluride, between mile markers 64 and 65.

The work involves rock scaling (bringing rocks down by hand and/or pry bar) this week, and ditch clearing, concrete barrier replacement and rockfall fence installation next week. If work needs to extend into September after the Labor Day holiday, a notice will be sent. Media and the traveling public are encouraged to check updates on www.cotrip.org.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through August 23, motorists will encounter 20-minute traffic stops and additional traffic clearing delays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. From August 26 through 30, expect single-lane, alternating traffic with only intermittent full traffic stops for equipment moving.

TRAVEL UPDATES: For information on CDOT projects statewide, the public may log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511. Better yet, sign up for highway updates by going to www.coloradodot.info and choosing the green cell phone icon in the upper right corner. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!