New Traffic Configuration in Place at US 160 and Sawyer Drive

LA PLATA COUNTY—Contractors for the Durango Mall are completing a roadway reconfiguration at US Highway (US) 160 and Sawyer Drive, which means motorists should expect traffic impacts in the area. Drivers should look for orange barrels and cones, and to stay on the right side of the median at all times.

The intersection improvements are the result of long-standing safety concerns. The reconfiguration reduces the number of conflicting vehicular paths between the two immediately adjacent intersections (US 160/East Sawyer and Frontage Road/East Sawyer). The new configuration will also improve timing flexibility for the US 160/Sawyer traffic signal.

Travel & Access Changes

• Southbound US 160 drivers trying to access the Durango Mall: Turn directly off of US 160 into the mall as always (Sawyer Drive eastbound).
• Southbound US 160 drivers trying to access any of the businesses along the frontage road north of the mall: Turn left at the County Road 210 traffic signal (near Nature's Oasis Food Market) and travel south along the frontage road.
• Northbound US 160 drivers trying to access the Durango Mall: Continue to enter the mall as always.
• Northbound US 160 drivers trying to access any of the businesses along the east frontage road north of the mall: Continue along US 160 past Sawyer Drive, and then turn right onto the frontage road access just past Serious Texas BBQ.

All traffic turning into the Durango Mall entrance with its newly configured median should be sure to keep to the right side of the median.

Other changes:

• On the frontage road north of Durango Mall, southbound left turns are no longer allowed into the mall on the east side of the highway.
• From US 160, northbound right turns onto eastbound Sawyer, followed by an immediate left turn onto the east frontage road, are no longer allowed.
• On Sunday, May 21, crews are scheduled to stripe permanent "guide lines" through the intersection and re-time signals.