Two-way conversion work to begin on S-Curve Project in Sterling on March 3

Travel Advisory

February 18, 2020 - Northeastern Colorado

LOGAN COUNTY — On March 3, the Colorado Department of Transportation will begin work in the city of Sterling to prepare for the two-way conversions of 3rd and 4th Streets. This work will require the following major impacts in the project work zone:

March 3–6

  • Work hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Impacts: Single and double lane closures on 3rd Street, 4th Street, and South Division Avenue.
  • Description: This phase will include striping and signage installation to prepare for new two-way conversions.

March 7 through Mid-April

  • Work hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Impacts: Full closure of Chestnut Street (US 6/CO 138) from 3rd Street (not including intersection) through 4th Street (including intersection) and 5th Street from Poplar Street to Main Street.
  • Detour: Motorists traveling to westbound Colorado Highway (CO) 14 (West Main) should use 3rd Street south to Main Street. Motorists traveling to eastbound US 6 should use CO 14 (West Main) to 3rd Street to Chestnut Street (US 6/CO 138). These detours will also be the temporary designated truck route through Sterling. 
  • Description: This phase will include storm sewer installation and concrete roadway paving.

Reconfiguration of traffic on CO 14 (West Main) will begin after completion of the above adjustments and more detailed information will be provided at a later date.

I-25 North project map on US 138 near Sterling

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

All work on the project will be completed by Fall 2020. Parsons Construction Group of Westminster will perform as the prime contractor on this $16.6 million project.

PROJECT INFORMATION

For project updates, please email [email protected], call the project hotline at (970) 425-2098, 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!

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.