Town of Mancos to Construct New Pedestrian Crossing

MONTEZUMA COUNTY—The Town of Mancos this week started construction on a project that will greatly enhance pedestrian safety at Beech Street and US Highway (US) 160. Construction is expected to last six weeks, with crews working from 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Project work includes:

• providing a second crosswalk just west of the current US 160/Colorado Highway 184 intersection traffic light;
• a low-height concrete barrier in the center median of the highway as a pedestrian refuge;
• reconstruction of the north right-in/right-out island;
• a new south island;
• new signs;
• crosswalk striping; and
• installation of solar-powered Rapid Flash Beacons.

The project is not expected to significantly impact US 160 traffic. However, in-town traffic will see the south side of Beech Street and Frontage Road closed for approximately one week. The north side of Beech St. will likely be closed for two to three weeks.

Motorists will need to find alternate access to US 160 during these construction periods.

The construction contract was awarded to D & L Construction of Cortez. The total project cost is $304,103. Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds administered by CDOT will pay $74,767 toward the project, Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is contributing $118,561, and the Town of Mancos will pay approximately $110,775. Russell Planning & Engineering, a Durango-based engineering firm, designed the project and is performing the construction management.