Work Resumes on Safety Improvements on US 160 West of Pagosa Springs

ARCHULETA COUNTY – Following a winter suspension, work is back underway to improve the intersection of US 160 at Hurt Drive (MP 131.95) and Badger Road, located in the Aspen Springs subdivision area west of Pagosa Springs. The intersection improvements include minor highway widening to accommodate:  left-turn lanes off US 160 onto both Hurt Drive (to the south) and Badger Road (north); right-turn deceleration lanes from US 160 to both drives; and right-turn acceleration lanes from both drives onto US 160. The work also includes resurfacing on US 160 between mile posts 131 and 134.5 (for reference, the west edge of Pagosa is at MP 140); highway shoulder improvements; slope flattening to improve sight distance for motorists and cyclists; and a section of new guardrail.

The project, contracted to Skanska USA for $6 million, improves safety at this busy intersection and improves the condition of the highway surface, extending its life by up to 20 years.

Last season, crews extended a concrete box culvert under the highway in preparation for the highway widening; constructed a retaining wall on the north side and conducted earthwork for the traffic detour on the south side of the highway (eastbound side). When complete (likely by the end of April), the detour will facilitate two-way traffic through the work zone for the majority of the time, reducing the impacts to the traveling public.

TRAVEL IMPACTS:  Currently, motorists will encounter single-lane, alternating traffic and some travel delays on both US 160 and the drives, Monday through Friday, during daylight hours. By the end of April, traffic should be shifted so that eastbound will use the detour roadway and westbound will use the existing eastbound lane. When the detour is in use, however, motorists will encounter periodic stops for equipment crossing, etc. The project completion date is set for late September 2014,

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: The public may call (970) 731-2918 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.)  Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

*FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) was established by the Colorado General assembly via Senate Bill 09-108 to fund the repair of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges and make safety improvements to Colorado’s key corridors.