US Highway 50, Fowler to Manzanola Surface Treatment and Passing Lane

Travel Advisory

February 20, 2020 - Southeastern Colorado - Project Open House Wednesday, February 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Otero County — On Monday, March 16, Colorado Department of Transportation will begin work to improve an eight-mile stretch of US 50 between Fowler and Manzanola. A full closure of US 50 from mile points (MP) 351.95 to MP 359.03 between Fowler and Manzanola is required and will be in place from March 16 through late fall 2020. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This project was contracted to Castle Rock Construction, LLC for $10.7 million. 

There will be an open house with information regarding this project on February 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Fowler Elementary located at 601 W Grant Avenue in the Multi-purpose room. 

This project will improve safety by widening and lengthening the existing passing lane, placing safety rumble strips at centerline and shoulders, repairing bridges within the project limits and reconstruction of crumbling roadway. US 50 is a high traffic highway with a significant amount of large semi-truck travel for this reason it will be closed to provide adequate safety to work crews and the traveling public.

DETOUR

Beginning on March 16 all eastbound traffic will be detoured off US 50 at South Main Street (SH 167) North, to Colorado Highway (CO) 96 East, to CO 71 South, rejoining US 50 in Manzanola. All westbound traffic will be detoured off US 50 at CO 71 heading north, to CO 96 West, to SH 167 south, rejoining US 50 in Fowler. The detour will add approximately 17 minutes to travel times. Only local traffic will be able to access the closed section US 50. See the detour route map below. 
Detour Map Description automatically generated

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION

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.

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.