Sterling S-Curve project substantially complete

News Release

December 22, 2020 - Northeastern Colorado

LOGAN COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation has substantially completed the S-Curve project on Colorado Highway 138 (3rd Street) and CO 14 (West Main) and US Highway 6 (Chestnut) in the town of Sterling. Road construction was completed on Dec. 18, with only minor landscaping tasks outstanding, which will be completed in Spring 2021 without any impact to motorists.

Sterling S Curve Project

Project Background

The goal of this project was to help alleviate downtown transportation issues by directing large trucks moving east-west through Sterling onto a bypass or S-Curve alignment that uses 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 also converted several one-way streets to two-way streets, improved intersections and signalization, installed a new storm sewer system, reconstructed West Main, and completed a mill and overlay of CO 138. Construction began in April 2019 and was substantially completed in December 2020 due to the successful partnership between CDOT and the prime contractor, Parsons Construction Group.

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

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.

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.

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.