Culvert Replacement to Begin Monday in Ouray
OURAY COUNTY - On Monday, August 8, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will break ground on construction to replace a culvert along US Highway 550 (US 550) located in Ouray. The project will include the excavation and replacement of the current undersized culvert at Skyrocket Creek. The project is expected to last through December 2016.
Mueller Construction of Glenwood Springs is the contractor for this $971 thousand project. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Limited nighttime and weekend work is expected during the duration of the project.
The purpose of the project is to replace the existing culvert with a wider, concrete box model. During high water events in recent years, surging water from Skyrocket Creek has overflowed onto US 550, creating unsafe driving conditions. Installing a larger and sturdier culvert will ensure that water stays in the creek and off the road. Initial work will involve diverting the creek into a new bypass culvert, followed by the excavation, removal and replacement of the existing culvert.
“Creating a culvert that is capable of channeling more water than it had before will ensure that this road does not become a dangerous location for people travelling on bikes and in cars,” says Project Engineer Tom Allen. “It is inevitable that there will be high water situations in Skyrocket Creek and we want to create a culvert that will ensure this road remains accessible to the public, regardless of the weather conditions.”
TRAVEL AND ACCESS IMPACTS: Motorists can expect delays of 10 minutes through the project during daytime work hours. A single lane, with alternating traffic patterns with a traffic signal will be in place during the culvert removal and replacement. Speeds will be reduced in the construction zone for both the safety of the traveling public as well as the construction crews working along the highway. Please use caution and stay alert while traveling through the construction zone. Follow flaggers’ directions and reduced posted speed limits.
PROJECT INFORMATION: If you have questions about the project, contact the Public Information Team. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Phone: 970-633-2313
Email: [email protected]
OTHER ROAD & PROJECT INFORMATION: 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/
