CDOT and Contractor to Begin Spring Work on US 491

CORTEZ—The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Lawson Construction will start spring work on US Highway (US) 491 in Cortez on Monday, March 13. Project work, which returns following a winter shutdown, includes:

• placing concrete in the center median islands of US 491 and at the intersection of Lebanon Road;
• seeding and mulching any disturbed areas throughout the project;
• sealing the joints in the new concrete pavement; and
• final highway striping throughout the project limits.

Crews estimate that field work on the project will be completed by the end of March.

Travel Impacts

Daily traffic control will be utilized to complete the remaining work. Temporary lane closures will be utilized during the daytime hours. Crews anticipate that traffic will be returned to its final configuration at the end of each work day.

Background

This $7.5 million project involved relocation of utilities, replaced a portion of the storm sewer system, constructed new median islands and street lighting, and repaved approximately one mile of US 491 with eight inches of concrete pavement. This concrete reconstruction provides a new roadway with a prolonged 20- to 30-year road life. The project also included the realignment of Lebanon Road with US 491 to improve sight distance, and protect turning movements onto and off of this roadway. The project started in April 2016.