US 550 Red Mountain Pass Closed Dec. 17 for Electrical Work

SOUTHWEST COLORADO—From 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass just south of Ouray will be closed. During the closure, San Miguel Power Association will need to place a large crane on the highway to re-attach electrical lines, which had been removed to accommodate the emergency Ruby Walls rock mitigation emergency work. .

• Northbound travelers from Durango will be stopped at Ironton (mile point 87) but can reach Silverton.
• Southbound travelers from Ridgway will be stopped at the "Switzerland of America" pullout (MP 92) but can reach Ouray.
• However, motorists who had intended to travel through from Durango to Ouray (or Ouray to Durango) should consider the alternate, more westerly route via CO Highway 145 through Lizard Head Pass and Telluride.

Although the weather forecast appears promising, with no storms predicted, the Monday work date is subject to change should inclement weather move in, and work would be postponed to the next available clear weather day.

Ruby Walls Emergency Mitigation Project Completed
Crews have completed the repairs of the draped netting that hangs on the face of the cliff wall. Additionally, new supplemental netting and fencing were installed. The netting and fencing increases the capacity to hold debris and prevent rocks from falling onto the highway.