Crews Begin Improvements to US 50 Along Blue Mesa Reservoir

GUNNISON COUNTY—Crews have started work to resurface a 12.1-mile stretch of US Highway (US) 50 along Blue Mesa Reservoir, from mile points (MP) 127-139. Crews on this $8.9 million improvement project will remove, recycle and repave the top layer of asphalt to remove cracks and other imperfections, repair two bridges, replace guardrail and restripe the highway.

Travel Impacts

From 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, motorists can expect single-lane, alternating traffic through one or more work zones. Please plan for possible traffic holds of up to 20 minutes; delays could exceed 20 minutes as traffic queues are cleared in both directions. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place during work hours.

"There appears to be some confusion regarding the nature of the work being completed this season on US 50," said CDOT Resident Engineer Raelene Shelly. "A Blue Creek Canyon future project (MP 123-127) has been awarded funding from the Federal Lands Access Program. However, design for the project has not started. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020, but anticipated traffic impacts have yet to be determined," Shelly said.

The US 50 Little Blue Reconstruction project is a continuation of work performed last year on US 50 from MP 121-123. This project will be widening US 50 to accommodate a westbound passing lane. The project's expected construction timeline is from the week of May 15 to September 2017.

The second project, US 50 Blue Mesa Resurfacing consists of cold-in-place asphalt recycling, two-inch overlay, and bridge deck repair work from MP 127-139. That project is expected to be completed from May to November 2017.