CDOT Crews Clear Mud from CO 145
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY - Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance crews cleared approximately 1000 square yards of mud and debris from Colorado Highway (CO) 145, north of Telluride last night, Wednesday, July 20. A torrential rain burst that lasted approximately 15 minutes Wednesday afternoon caused the mudslide along a stretch of CO 145 between Placerville and Telluride at mileposts 77 to 80.
Tyler Carlson, CDOT maintenance foreman, said there were as many as a dozen flow channels along the three miles of road, “An amazing amount of rain came down in a short amount of time. But we immediately had a crew on the scene clearing mud and we were able to keep the road partially opened for travelers.” The team of 18 maintenance workers, with the aid of eight dump trucks, three graders and three front end loaders worked six and half hours, from 2:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. San Miguel County also had workers on the scene.
Carlson added that there remains at least 1500 square yards of mud and debris in the roadside ditches on the slope-side of CO 145. “We have a maintenance team moving that mud and cleaning out culverts to prevent water from running over the road, when more rain potentially falls.”
TRAVEL IMPACTS: Travelers will encounter one-lane, alternating traffic while work is being performed to remove the mud from the ditches over the next two weeks — through Friday, August 12. Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for CDOT maintenance personnel and equipment in the area. The speed limit has been reduced to 40 miles per hour.
STAY INFORMED: To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/
