Work to Take Place Oct. 28 through Nov. 14 on US 24 at 31st Street and Ridge Road

SOUTHEAST COLORADO—Starting Sunday, Oct. 28 and continuing through Wednesday, Nov. 14, travelers on US 24 at Ridge Road and 31st Street can expect various traffic impacts—including the temporary removal of the left-turn lane at Ridge Road to provide crews protection during construction and to expedite completion.

While crews considered completing work at night, it would have tripled the duration of the project. Work at the two intersections has been scheduled consecutively, after the Manitou Springs Coffin Race. Construction will be completed before the holiday shopping season begins Thanksgiving weekend.

Ridge Road

• When: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, through 5 a.m., Monday, Nov. 5 (weather dependent)
• What: CDOT is rebuilding the intersection, adding a center island that restricts left turns and crossing at US 24, improving safety and reducing accidents. Two smaller islands on the north and side of Ridge Road were installed over the summer.
• Traffic impacts: Travelers in both directions of US 24 will not be allowed to turn left onto Ridge Road during construction. Right-in and right-out movements of both directions will remain open. This closure is temporary.
• Detour option: For left turns off US 24 onto Ridge Road, travelers can either exit US 24 at the Manitou Avenue interchange or take a subsequent exit.
  
  
  

31st Street

• When: From 7 a.m. to 7 pm daily, Sunday, Nov. 4, reopening 5 a.m. Wed., Nov. 14 (weather dependent)
• What: CDOT is excavating, regrading and extending the median, rebuilding it to extend the left-turn lane, and replacing curb and gutter.
• Traffic impacts: Traffic heading eastbound US 24 will not be allowed to turn left onto 31st Street during construction. Right-in and right-out movements of both directions will remain open.
• Detour option: To access businesses along Colorado Avenue, drivers are encouraged to use Ridge Road, 26th St, 21st Street or 8th Street. Travel to I-25 is encouraged eastbound to the Cimarron interchange.
• Pedestrian crossings will remain open at the southeast, northeast and northwest corners of US 24 and 31st Street, with no pedestrian access at the southwest corner.
  

After the completion of the work at these two intersections, the final traffic signal work will be completed in early 2019.

To minimize impact on the traveling public while numerous projects in the US 24 area were active, CDOT modified the phasing of this project in response to very heavy summer tourism traffic to destinations along US 24 and increased traffic to Pikes Peak Highway, resulting from the Cog railway closure, as well as the closure of CO 160 due to the summer wildfire.