US 285 and Chaffee County Road 270 Safety Improvements Underway

CHAFFEE COUNTY, CO – The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Region 5 maintenance division and Chaffee County Road and Bridge Department are working together to construct improvements to the intersection of US 285 and Chaffee County Road 270, between Poncha Springs and Buena Vista. The intersection improvements will include a northbound deceleration lane and dedicated turning lanes onto westbound CR 270.

“The changes are being made to improve safety at the intersection, as CR 270 provides access to public lands, agricultural properties and residences,” Chaffee County Development Director Don Reimer said. “The types of uses at this intersection result in a higher than normal number of trucks and trailers, and the location near the crest of the hill results in poor visual sightlines.  The addition of the turn lanes and improvements of the sightlines will significantly increase safety in this area.”

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through the project’s completion in late July, motorists will encounter a lowered speed limit of 45 mph through the work zone, and shoulders will be closed. As paving begins on the auxiliary lanes, single-lane closures on either US 285 and/or CR 270 are also likely, Monday through Friday during daylight hours. Motorists are encouraged to heed the lowered speed limit and drive with extra caution though the work zone, for everyone’s safety.

For information on CDOT projects statewide, log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511 from anywhere in the state. Better yet, sign up for email and/or wireless (text) alerts on projects and/or roadway condition information in your chosen area. 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. Remember to “like” CDOT on Facebook.

Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!