CDOT Begins Culvert Replacement on US 491North of Cortez

September 5, 2013 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - MONTEZUMA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin a project on September 16 to replace a corroded steel culvert (installed in 1974) under US 491 just north of Cortez (and north of Lebanon Road, or CR 25).

The work will involve replacement of the steel culvert with a concrete pipe, necessitating a cut in the highway and, for a period of time, a 24/7 lane closure.

The work was contracted to D & L Construction of Cortez for $298,423. The culvert replacement will improve drainage and, as a result, highway stability and condition.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through the project’s completion in mid-October, the four-lane highway (with a center turn lane) will be reduced to a single travel lane in each direction; the speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 40 mph through the work zone,Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. When necessary, traffic will remain in this single-lane configuration 24/7 while there is an open trench in the highway for culvert placement.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: The public may call (970) 565-2087 with questions or comments about the work. For information on other CDOT projects, call 511 or log onto www.cotrip.org (or sign up for FREE highway updates by going to www.colorododot.info and choosing the green phone icon.)