Weekend Traffic Switch Postponed on Ute Pass; Now Scheduled Tonight

April 14, 2014 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - EL PASO COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation will shift traffic on U.S. 24 from the westbound lanes to the eastbound lanes tonight, as part of a project to improve water flow under the highway.

Traffic was scheduled to switch last Saturday night but adverse weather suspended the operation.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., CDOT begins shifting traffic from the westbound lanes to the eastbound lanes of Highway 24, about one mile west of Manitou Springs. Drivers should expect minor delays due to occasional traffic stops. The shift should be completed by 1 a.m. Tuesday, with one lane of traffic in each direction.

The highway will remain reduced to one lane in each direction for about five weeks, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph and vehicles wider than 12 feet will not be allowed to travel through the work zone. Drivers should expect possible slowdowns or delays through the area during the morning and evening rush hours.

All four lanes of U.S. 24 are expected to be open to traffic by Thursday, May 22.

CDOT is installing the other half of an extra-large concrete box culvert, designed to carry excessive amounts of water. It measures 24 feet wide by 10 feet high, and is ten times larger than the 72 inch metal pipe that used to be under the highway.