US 550 North of Durango to Close Saturday for Bike Race

SOUTHWEST COLORADO—CDOT will close a portion of US Highway 550 north of Durango tomorrow, Saturday, May 28, during the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

Motorists are urged to leave Durango early (before 7:00 a.m.) if traveling to Silverton or points north beyond Silverton.

Starting at 7 a.m.:  
Southbound US 550 traffic will be diverted onto CR 203 at Hermosa Creek to Animas View Drive, just north of town. Northbound traffic from Durango to Purgatory Ski Resort will proceed along US 550 with traffic control in place.

Starting at 7:30 a.m.:
Rolling closures will be in place to accommodate three biking event start times in the town of Durango, northbound lanes of US 550/Camino Del Rio (from downtown near the train depot, north to Animas View Drive).

From 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: 
US 550 will be fully closed in both directions between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton. The highway will remain open north of Silverton, to Ouray, as always.

Motorists and cyclists are reminded that they will encounter a construction work zone on the north side of Molas Pass, about two miles south of Silverton. Motorists and cyclists will encounter one lane, alternating closures controlled by flaggers. The flagging crews are prepared to assist with surges traffic before and after the event, but delays of at least 20 minutes should be expected until mid-afternoon on Saturday.  For the rest of the weekend, portable traffic signals will be in place to direct traffic through the construction area, and motorists should expect delays of approximately 5 minutes.

Construction work has also been suspended for the US 160-550 concrete rehabilitation project taking place through Durango’s business corridor. Work will resume for both projects on Tuesday, May 30.

Drivers are reminded to watch for cyclists and drive safely for the entirety of the busy holiday weekend.