Paving Now Underway on US 491, North of Cortez

June 14, 2017 -

SOUTHWEST COLORADO—On Tuesday, June 13, crews started paving a nine-mile stretch of US Highway (US) 491 north of Cortez.

This project is essentially divided into three main work zones:  

  1. asphalt resurfacing from just north of Lebanon Road (at mile point 27.3) to County Road M;
  2. asphalt resurfacing from north of CR M to one-half mile south of the junction with CO Highway (CO) 184 (at MP 36.15); and
  3. 3,000 linear feet of guardrail replacement adjacent to Narraguinnep Reservoir on the south side of CO 184.  

Crews started the project on May 1 by rejuvenating the pavement in the section north of CR M (please note, this project skips the CR M intersection, as that was improved by CDOT recently). The asphalt was recycled on site by removing the top layer of the pavement, combining the recycled material with additives and laying it back down on the road surface.

This process addresses surface cracks and imperfections in the roadway surface. With the asphalt milling/recycling complete in this section, paving began today. This first overlay of new asphalt north of CR M should be completed by the end of June (and a second, final overlay of new asphalt will be applied later in the project’s schedule).

The guardrail work on CO 184 and storm pipe replacement under US 491 near CR S will also be underway during the paving operations.

After the July 4 holiday, crews will begin a similar process on the five-lane stretch of US 491 south of CR M, again laying down new asphalt once the top layer has been milled. The project, scheduled for completion by mid-October, was contracted to Oldcastle SW Group for $6.9 million.  

Travel Impacts

  • Now until the end of June: North of CR M, in the highway’s two-lane section, motorists can expect single-lane, alternating traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists may also encounter additional work zones and traffic stops at CR S while crews replace pipe under US 491 and during guardrail replacement on CO 184 .
  • July and beyond: Asphalt milling on the five-lane section south of CR M; motorists will experience traffic shifts and slowing, with a single lane in each direction being maintained. Some Saturday work may be necessary to expedite the project’s completion.

All business access will remain open, however access may be temporarily altered. Motorists are asked to please drive with caution through the work zones and avoid distractions--cell phones, radio, food--when approaching work areas, for the safety of all involved.

Stay Connected

Those interested in staying up to date on the project and work schedule can do so by visiting the project website.