Travelers to Encounter Lane Changes at US 160 Wildlife Underpass Construction Site Between Durango and Bayfield

September 8;, 2016 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - LA PLATA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announces that Crossfire, LLC is nearing completion of the Dry Creek wildlife crossing on US Highway 160 (US 160), approximately three miles west of Bayfield (MP 97 – 98).

Over the next few weeks, the project will implement three lane changes.  These lanes changes may result in significant travel delays of 10 – 20 minutes.

  1. All traffic (eastbound and westbound) will be moved to the north side of the US 160, returning to the original alignment.  Currently scheduled for the week of Sept. 12.

  2. Approximately two weeks later, eastbound only traffic will be moved to the south side of US 160, to the newly constructed roadway, to remain permanent. Currently scheduled for the week of Sept. 26.

  3. Soon after, final restriping operations will take place on the north side of the original two-lane highway, shifting traffic to one-lane westbound, which will remain permanent.  Currently scheduled for the week of Oct. 3.

Please note the scheduled dates may change due to possible weather postponements. Work continues to take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day. Motorists are cautioned to be aware of workers, heavy equipment and speed limit reduction of 40 mph.

This two year project constructs a large mammal underpass designed with a pre-cast concrete arch structure which spans 37 feet wide and 13 feet high. The project will be completed in October of 2016.

PROJECT INFORMATION:  For more information or to ask questions, please contact the contractor’s public information manager: Debbi Michal, Crossfire LLC, (970) 828-2897.  

OTHER PROJECTS: For CDOT project information, sign up for free messages to your email or phone by going to www.codot.gov and choosing the envelop icon at the bottom of the webpage. Or for road information visit cotrip.org, call 511, or see our lane closure reports at www.codot.gov/projects. Follow us on Twitter @coloradodot and on Facebook.

US 160 at Dry Creek, five miles east of SH 172; site of wildlife underpass