Turning lanes to be constructed on CO Hwy 291 and junction of CR 154

October 29, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Improvements will provide safer access for local traffic

CHAFFEE COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin work next week on CO Highway 291, on the north side of Salida. Crews will construct acceleration and deceleration turn lanes for County Road 154, near the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center. The work is a safety project and will consist of adding extra width to the road to accommodate traffic turning onto and out of CR 154. Work is expected to take approximately 6 weeks, beginning on Monday, November 4 and continuing through mid-December.

MAP_CO 291 Salida Turning Lanes.jpg

TRAVEL IMPACTS  

Initially, motorists will encounter minimal impacts with work being conducted off the shoulder to widen the road. However, once work progresses and crews work on the widened roadway with paving and restriping operations, drivers will encounter flaggers controlling traffic, lane closures and possible short delays. Work days are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a Saturday work is required, it will be announced in advance.

PROJECT INFORMATION  

Pavement Maintenance Services of Salida is the prime contractor hired for this $180,000 project. Those seeking more information about this project, or with questions or comments, can reach the project team at:

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!

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.  

Earlier this year, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, 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 the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

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. It also 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.