Road maintenance work set for US 491 near Dove Creek

May 15, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Crews to chip seal highway surface, travelers urged to drive with caution

DOLORES COUNTY ― The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will start a road maintenance project next week along U.S. Highway 491, near Dove Creek. This chip seal operation will take place over two weeks and is part of CDOT’s statewide initiate, Whole System ― Whole Safety, aimed at improving the safety of Colorado’s transportation network.

Crews will first work to the south of Dove Creek for a four-day period, Tuesday, May 21-24. The work zone will be from mile points 54 to 57, approximately four miles south of Dove Creek. The following week, the day after Memorial Day, from Tuesday, May 28-31, operations will then move to the north of Dove Creek. The work zone will be from MP 66 to 69, approximately four miles north of Dove Creek, near the Utah state line. Work days will be dependent upon local weather conditions.   

TRAVEL IMPACTS

Daytime work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Vehicles will be reduced to a single-lane, alternating traffic intermittently in either direction, throughout the duration of the project. These lane closures, guided by flaggers and pilot cars, may have brief delays possible. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph through the work zone. This speed reduction will remain in place through the work zones overnight to reduce the potential damage to vehicles from loose gravel. Traffic fines in the construction zone will be doubled. Crews will sweep the highway of loose gravel once the operations are completed.

When driving through chip seal surface treatment projects travelers are urged to:

  • Slow down ― Higher speeds can cause loose stones to scatter and damage vehicle paint and windshields. Loose stones can be scattered even by oncoming traffic traveling in the opposite direction.

  • Increase distance between vehicles ― Space between you and other vehicles will help reduce damage caused by loose stones.

  • Follow work zone signage ― Consider the safety of other motorists and the safety of the work crew when traveling through the project construction zone.

  • Use caution ― Bicyclists and motorcyclists should use extreme caution during construction operations.

 

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System ― Whole Safety initiative. This program takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behavior, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.

  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.

  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.

  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.

  • Be patient!

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

ABOUT CDOT 

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and airports, and administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service. Governor Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s inter-modal mobility options.