Highway improvements to begin on CO 17 in Alamosa and Saguache Counties

Travel Advisory

May 28, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado

ALAMOSA & SAGUACHE COUNTIES —The Colorado Department of Transportation announces improvements to CO Highway 17 beginning next week, June 1. The project will improve approximately 36 miles of CO 17 in the San Luis Valley, beginning south of Hooper and continuing north to the U.S. Highway 285 junction, Mile Point 84.5 to MP 118.5. 

The work consists of widening the existing roadway with earthwork, base course, and heating and remixing treatment. This work is followed with a two-inch asphalt overlay and shouldering. The project also has minor culvert extensions, erosion control, signing, and striping. This two season project was contracted to APC Southern Construction, of Golden, and is expected to be completed in July 2021. 

The project will greatly enhance safety for travelers on this narrow two-lane highway. When completed motorists will find wider shoulders to provide a larger recoverable area on the side of the road and reduce the potential crashes from vehicles veering off the roadway.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

During work hours motorists are asked to use caution when approaching and driving through the work zone. Travel impacts for the project include:

  • Crews will begin work at the south end of the project limits, MP 84.5.

  • Project work hours are daylight hours, Monday through Friday. No weekend work is currently anticipated. 

  • Expect travel delays of up to 15 minutes.

  • Motorists will encounter brief closures with single-lane alternating traffic.

  • The speed limit is reduced to 40 mph through the work zone. 

  • Flagging personnel will be on sight to direct travelers through the area as construction equipment enters and exits the work zone.

  • 12-foot width restriction will be in place during project work hours.

  • All business and residence access will be maintained but may be temporarily altered.

PROJECT & TRAVEL INFORMATION 

For additional information about this project, contact the project team. 

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 inter-regional express service. Gov. Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.