US 160/550 CFI Focuses on College Drive Resurfacing the Week of April 21
PROJECT BENEFITS: The CFI project goes beyond the fix at the US 160/US 550 intersection. It includes improvements west on US 160 to Tech Center Drive, and north on Camino to 9th Street and involves both safety and congestion-relief measures for all users. Focusing on the congestion, the following is a good summary of what the project will address.
US 160/US 550 intersection receives 35,000-40,000 vehicles per day in the summer—it’s the busiest intersection on the entire Western Slope of Colorado, and receives as much traffic as some of the busiest locations in Greeley. What’s more, the intersection at College is heavily congested, adding to the traffic queuing at US 160/550.
In CDOT’s analysis of the worst PM peak hour travel (generally between 4:45 and 5:45 on a summer weekday) data show that westbound travelers on College have an average wait time of 247.8 seconds and those on northbound US 160/550 (coming from Bodo) have an average delay of 68.1 seconds during this time. After the improvements to both intersections, wait time for westbound College drivers will drop to just 56.7 seconds (a 77 percent reduction) and those northbound on US 160/550 will wait an average of 26.6 seconds (a 60.9 percent reduction). Here’s another way to view the data:
DRIVER WAIT TIME DURING WORST PM PEAK HOUR, SUMMERTIME
Before Project / After Project
Westbound College avg. wait time: 247.8 seconds / 56.7 seconds (a 77% reduction)
Northbound US 160/550 avg. wait time: 68.1 seconds / 26.6 seconds (a 60.9% reduction)
A CFI, along with the US 550/College improvements, will significantly improve the so-called “level of service” at these intersections. A CFI channels left-turning traffic to cross over at a signal prior to the main intersection, thereby reducing conflicting movements at the main intersection and increasing the amount of green signal time for the other movements. The project also includes, as mentioned above, improvements at College (that include reconfiguration to enable concurrent left-turning movements), installation of raised medians, raised channelizing islands, drainage improvements, curb and gutter, signal poles, bike lanes, pedestrian crossing improvements, striping and signage.
NEW! TRAFFIC IMPACTS:
College Drive: Monday 6:00 PM through early Tuesday morning: west side and a short portion of east side will undergo asphalt removal through the night with one lane access. Throughout the week, partial closures are expected during asphalt resurfacing. Drivers can expect a few days of dirt roads and temporary driveway ramps until the asphalt resurfacing is finished, which is anticipated for the end of the week. Sidewalk detours and temporary closures are also expected along College.
US 160/550 Thru Lanes (Camino Del Rio): Two lanes in each direction of travel will remain open during peak hours—before 8:30 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and after 2 p.m. on Fridays. Single-lane closures between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., when needed.
US 160/550 (Camino del Rio) Turn Lanes, Side Streets: Single-lane closures may be in effect at any time during the day (and night, when scheduled).
US 160 West: Single-lane closures are expected between the CFI intersection and Roosa Avenue during non-peak travel times.
Travel delays will vary depending on the time of day and volume of traffic. Motorists should plan their trips accordingly and are reminded to keep speeds down for the safety of the workers and pedestrians crossing in this area. For questions regarding the project, the public can call the information hotline at (970) 238-1669. The work items will shift away from the urban area by the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the entire project will be completed by mid-August 2014.
HOW TO GET PROJECT INFORMATION: The best way to stay up-to-date on project progress, traffic impacts and more is to sign up for email and wireless (text) alerts. Go to CDOT's web site at www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Enter your information and choose "US 160/550 Durango" under the "projects" list. If you would like to reach the project information team directly, please call the hotline at 970-238-1669 or email us at [email protected].
