Surface Improvements set for US 491 North of Cortez

CORTEZ—CDOT this week began improving a nine-mile section of US Highway (US) 491 north of Cortez. The work, contracted to Oldcastle SW Group for $6.9 million, will include resurfacing, signing and striping of the highway north of Lebanon Road (mile point 27.3) to approximately one-half mile south of the junction with CO Highway (CO) 184 (MP 36.15). The project is scheduled for completion by the end of November.

"This stretch of highway sees more than 5,700 vehicles a day, with 13 percent heavy truck traffic," CDOT Resident Engineer Tim Webb said. "Couple that with the freeze-thaw weather conditions,which our Colorado highways receive, and it leads to a good deal of surface damage. We'll be removing and recycling the top layer of asphalt to correct surface cracking and imperfections before applying a new asphalt overlay."

The project will also include upgrades to 3,000 feet of guardrail on CO 184. The new guardrail will replace the old barrier structure on the south side of CO 184, near Narraguinnep Reservoir.

Travel Impacts

From 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mondays through Friday from May 8 through Nov. 30, 2017 (weather permitting), motorists can expect single-lane closures. Some Saturday work may be necessary to expedite the project's completion. All business access will remain open but may be temporarily altered. Motorists are asked to please drive with caution through the work zone. No travel impacts are expected this week as crews mobilize equipment and place construction signing.