US 24 Johnson Village chip seal treatment to begin May 8

Travel Advisory

April 30, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado

CHAFFEE COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin chip sealing and updating the existing signs on U.S. Highway 24. Construction will start at the junction of U.S. 285 west of Johnson Village and continue east to the top of Trout Creek Pass. 

This 20-mile chip seal project, from MP 212.83 through MP 225.56, will consist of placing a blended asphalt on the existing pavement, covering it with crushed aggregate, rolling the newly placed chips and sweeping off any excess chips. A week after the chip seal is placed a thin layer of diluted emulsion will be placed on the chips to give the road surface a black top. Crews will begin work at the east end of the project and work towards the west in four mile a day increments.

US 24 Johnson Village Chip Seal Project map

US 24 Johnson Village Chipseal Project Map

As a part of CDOT’s Whole System. Whole Safety. program, the project will enhance safety for the traveling public by creating a new wearing surface and prolonging the life of the asphalt. New updated signs and paint will be installed to help with visibility.

Travel Impacts

Beginning Friday, May 8 through June 5, motorists will encounter work on U.S. 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Impacts will include one lane traffic which will be under flagger control with the use of pilot cars to guide traffic through the work zone. Traffic flow  in Johnson Village (between MP 212.8 -213.2)will be reduced to one  lane in each direction. Closures will be no longer than 2 miles. The public should expect delays up to 15 minutes. Speeds will be reduced to 45 MPH within the project limits with a width restriction of 12 feet. No work will take place May 22 - 25 for Memorial Day weekend.

Travelers driving through surface treatment projects are urged to: 

  • Slow down ― Higher speeds can cause loose stones to scatter and damage vehicle paint and windshields.
  • Increase distance between vehicles ― Space between you and other vehicles will help reduce vehicle 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.

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!

Project Information

For additional information about this project: 

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:

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, road maintenance and 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 by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding 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.