New S-Curve alignment opening in Sterling on Sept. 4

Travel Advisory

August 26, 2020 - Northeastern Colorado

LOGAN COUNTY — On Sept. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation will open the majority of the new S-Curve alignment through Sterling. Colorado Highway 14 (West Main) will now connect directly to US 6 (Chestnut Street) via the S-Curve. 

Motorists will temporarily have to access downtown Sterling at the S-Curve and Poplar Street intersection because West Main between Division Avenue and 4th Street will be temporarily closed while crews begin work on the intersection of Main Street and Division. Also, 5th Street will be closed permanently between Main and Poplar.

South Division from the S-Curve (West Main) to Park Street will remain closed and only open as portions of the work are completed along that corridor in the next few weeks. Work is expected to be complete this Fall.

S-curve design map

S-Curve Design

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Crews are currently working on US 6, CO 138, and CO 14 in the city of Sterling to complete work on the new S-Curve. These three major highways intersect within downtown Sterling and currently limit growth and development within the downtown core, lead to out-of-direction travel, and cause disruption from heavy truck traffic. This project will help alleviate downtown transportation issues by directing large trucks moving east-west through town onto a bypass or S-Curve alignment that will use abandoned railroad rights-of-way between 4th Street/Chestnut and 5th Street/Division/West Main, completing a direct connection between CO 14 and US 6 in the east-west direction. The project will also include conversion of several one-way streets to two-way streets, intersection improvements and signalization, reconstruction of West Main, and a complete mill and overlay of CO 138.

Project limits are as follows:

  • North boundary: mile point (MP) 2.95 on CO 138

  • East boundary: MP 404.60 on US 6

  • South boundary: MP 404.21 on US 6

  • West boundary: MP 236.10 on CO 14

Parsons Construction Group of Westminster performs as the prime contractor on this $16.6 million project

PROJECT INFORMATION

For project updates, please email [email protected], call the project hotline at (720) 682-1122, or visit the project website. Information about weekly lane closures is available at https://www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. For information regarding CDOT projects statewide, log on to www.codot.gov. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

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, 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.  

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative. This project 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 interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.