Safety Improvements Progress on US 160 Wolf Creek Pass

SOUTHWEST COLORADO—From 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 and Thursday, Sept. 20, travelers on US 160 across Wolf Creek Pass can expect 30- to 45-minute traffic holds as crews secure a large sign over the highway. Work may also be required the morning of Friday, Sept. 21.

The work areas fall between mile points (MP) 158—near the Treasure Falls parking area at the western base of the pass—and MP 173, about five miles east of the ski area.

Once the structure is safely mounted, there will be traffic-lane shifts at the sign locations for the remainder of the day, as well as a traffic-lane shifts at the scenic overlook further west.

This sign-upgrade and safety-improvement project began in early June. It involves installing and upgrading safety barrier, signage and new striping on a section of US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass. Scheduled for completion by late September 2018, this project was contracted to Structures, Inc. for $1.66 million.

Work items include the following:

• This week: New large, fixed overhead diagrammatic signs showing a hairpin curve and "YOU ARE HERE"
  (There will be two of these, at MP 166.67 and MP 163, as motorists approach the curve.)
• New static sign: "WOLF CREEK PASS, STEEP GRADES AHEAD, TRUCKS USE LOW GEAR" (MP 172.9).
• New static sign: "STEEP GRADES 3 MILES AHEAD" (MP 169.35)
• Additional concrete safety barrier at the entrance to the scenic overlook
• Resetting eastbound static overhead sign, "STEEP GRADE, WINDING ROAD NEXT 9 MILES" (MP 166.88)
• Additional signage above two existing truck ramp signs ("RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMP") will be installed. Each will be a dynamic LED sign that flashes "USE TRUCK RAMP" if a truck is going too fast (MP 161.21 and MP 160.88).
• New striping from Treasure Falls to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass (MP 158 to MP 166.5)
• New asphalt overlay near the scenic overlook/hairpin curve

Travel Impacts

• Closure of the scenic overlook (temporary barrier will be in place 24/7)
  There will be no parking or stopping anywhere in the surrounding area.
• Narrow travel lanes and a speed limit reduction in place 24/7
• Periodic traffic-lane shifts at various sign-installation locations
• A 10-foot width restriction at all times, 24/7
• From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists may be stopped periodically at either end of the work zone, when necessary for worker and traveler safety.

Please avoid distractions as you travel through the work zone and go slow for the Cone Zone.