CDOT to install new lighting at chain up stations across southwest and south-central Colorado

Southwest and South Central — On Monday, April 13, the Colorado Department of Transportation will begin installation of new lighting at seven chain up stations located throughout several southwest and south-central Colorado counties. One location will include a solar collection system to provide sustainable power for the lights. 

This project is part of CDOT’s “Whole System. Whole Safety.” initiative aimed at enhancing safety for Colorado’s traveling public. Chain up stations provide safe locations to pull off the highway and park vehicles in order to check engines, tires and brakes. The stations are also protected areas to safely put on tire chains when required by chain law during inclement snowy weather. The addition of improved lighting at these chain stations will improve visibility for both commercial truck drivers and passenger vehicle drivers.  

CHAIN UP LOCATIONS

• US 50 Monarch Pass, Mile Point (MP) 203.7 – MP 205.7 - Chaffee County
• US 285 Poncha Pass (Lower), MP 124.4 – MP 126.4 - Chaffee County
• US 285 Poncha Pass (Upper), MP 118.1 – MP 120.1 - Saguache County
• US 160 La Veta Pass, MP 261.0 – MP 263.0 - Costilla County
• CO 17 La Manga Pass, MP 16.0 – MP 18.0 - Conejos County
• US 550 Red Mountain Pass, MP 70.6 – MP 72.6 - San Juan County
• CO 145 Lizard Head Pass, MP 54.0 – MP 56.0 - Dolores County

PROJECT SCHEDULE 

• Work is scheduled to begin on Mon., April 13. Work is expected to be completed by the end of August 2020.
• Work will begin with surveying each site. Once surveys are completed crews will begin trenching for conduit installation, preparing the site for foundation work, then installation of light poles. Work will occur one site at a time.  
• Normal work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

TRAVEL IMPACTS

All motorized vehicles should expect minimal travel impacts throughout the construction project. 

• Motorists should be aware of shoulder closures and crews working in the area. 
• Motorists are urged to obey speed reductions and watch for construction personnel and equipment in the work zone. 
• Detailed information will be disseminated on a weekly basis and updated when more significant impacts are expected. 

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION

• Project hotline - 719-581-2301
• Project email – [email protected]     
• Project web site - www.codot.gov/projects/swco-chainstnlighting/swco-chainstnlighting
• Sign up for weekly project updates - Log onto the project web site and click on the “Stay Informed/Alerts” button

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!

COVID-19 

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has announced guidelines for construction activities. Gov. Polis issued an emergency, temporary stay-at-home order for all of Colorado, which went into effect March 26. With this order, the public is urged to join the campaign, #DoingMyPartCO, and avoid all nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.  

In early 2019, 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. Gov. Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.