CDOT to make improvements to CO 145 near Telluride

News Release

April 24, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado - Roadway will receive surface treatment, shoulder widening, drainage improvements, and new guardrail between Telluride and Placerville

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY - The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Oldcastle SW Group, Inc., will begin a project next week, Monday, April 27, to improve the surface, drainage and safety of 12.75 miles of CO Highway 145 between Telluride and Placerville. The work zone lies between mile point (MP) 71.51 (Society Turn in Telluride) and extends northwest to MP 84.24 (junction of CO 62 at Placerville). 

The project involves the following work:

  • Nearly 13 miles of asphalt overlay along the full project length, including a thin layer applied for surface ‘leveling’ along the new passing lane project section (MP 73.9 to 75.1) completed in 2019

  • Extensive drainage work to mitigate flooding through the area; crews will upgrade four additional culverts to improve debris flow, located at MP 77.11, MP 78.04, MP 79.98 and MP 80.2 - see map, below (11 structures were upgraded during the 2019 project)

  • Intersection improvements at CR 58P in Sawpit to include shoulder widening on CO 145 for safer turning

  • Guardrail replacement and/or adjustments along the full project length

  • New pavement markings  

TRAVEL IMPACTS

Through the project’s completion in late November 2020, motorists can expect single-lane, alternating travel through the work zone/s during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. Currently, those hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to better accommodate up-valley morning commuters. Weekend work is not anticipated, though may be possible, if necessary to expedite the project’s completion. Width restrictions will be in place at varying times throughout the project's duration. Travelers, both passenger and commerical, with wide loads should check sites.google.com/state.co.us/cotriporgfreight for current restrictions.

To date and tentatively, it is anticipated that work may be suspended to accommodate increased traffic for these holidays and special community events:

  • July 3 through 6 - Independence Day holiday travel

  • August 7 through 9 - Telluride Jazz Festival

  • September 4 through September 7 - Labor Day holiday weekend

  • September 18 through 20 - Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Information about other projects and road conditions can be found at:  

CO 145 Culvert Locations - Map

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 health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO and practice social distancing, wear face masks, stay at home when possible, and avoid 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.