CDOT Safety Improvements on US 160 West of Pagosa Springs

ARCHULETA COUNTY – Work is progressing on CDOT’s project 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. To facilitate highway widening on the north side of the highway, crews will be conducting some brief rock blasting operations at 7 p.m., next Thursday, May 15. It is expected that the US 160 will be fully closed in both directions until 7:30 p.m., with travel delays beyond 7:30 as crews work to clear traffic queues.

REGULAR DAILY TRAVEL IMPACTS: Now that the detour is in place, motorist will encounter only periodic lane closures, and only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday (work may be underway outside those hours, with no lane closures). The project completion date is set for late September 2014.

PROJECT DETAILS: 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 and funded through FASTER,* improves safety at this busy intersection and improves the condition of the highway surface, extending its life by up to 20 years.

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.