CDOT Conducting Rockfall Mitigation on US 550 South of Durango (On Bondad Hill)

LA PLATA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation has a single lane closed on US 550 on Bondad Hill (10 miles south of Durango) that will continue into this week. CDOT contractor Yenter Companies has been drilling rocks in preparation for blasting to remove a large outcrop. This lane closure has been in effect since October 26, when a large rock came down onto the inside (northbound) shoulder, partially into the lane.

It is anticipated that a single blasting operation will take place Wednesday or possibly Thursday. An update will be sent Tuesday; the following is what motorists can expect:

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Monday and Tuesday, only the single inside lane will be closed, leaving one lane open in each direction and minimal traffic delays—there will be intermittent traffic stops between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., however, for vehicles into and out of the work site. Likely on Wednesday or Thursday—midday—traffic will be fully stopped in both directions for more than 30 minuteswhile blasting takes place, debris is cleared and the work area is cleared for safety. Delays will continue while traffic queues are cleared in both directions. The remainder of the afternoon (until 3 p.m.) following blasting is likely to produce traffic delays as more debris is hauled away. CDOT will update this schedule on www.cotrip.org and post approximate blast time on variable message boards the morning of.

Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone. For information about other CDOT projects, log on to http://www.coloradodot.info/ or call 511 from anywhere in the state.