Re-striping operations throughout southwest & south-central Colorado to start June 1

Travel Advisory

May 28, 2020 - Southwestern/South Central Colorado

The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin re-striping pavement marking throughout Region 5 in southwest and south-central Colorado. Straight Stripe Painting, Inc. of St. George, UT has been selected for this project. Re-striping operations will begin June 1 and will continue through August. 

The re-striping project will replace existing pavement markings and enhance highway striping on both asphalt and concrete pavements. New yellow and white paint will improve visibility and help drivers stay in their lane; this will provide a safer roadway experience and highway system for the traveling public.

Please note striping operations are dependent on clear weather conditions. The targeted dates may fluctuate. Highways being re-striped and approximate dates include: 

Southwest Colorado

  • June 1-3: U.S. 491 Colorado/New Mexico State Line through Cortez and Dove Creek to Colorado/Utah State Line
  • June 5: U.S. 160 Cortez to Mancos
  • June 8 CO 145 Lizard Head Pass from to Mountain Village
  • June 10: CO 62 from Placerville to Ridgway
  • June 12-29: U.S. 550 from Colorado/New Mexico State Line to Durango, over Red Mountain Pass to Colona

South-central Colorado

  • July 1-August 3: U.S. 160 from Mancos through Durango, Pagosa Springs, over Wolf Creek pass to Alamosa and finishes on La Veta Pass
  • August 4-5: U.S. 285 from Alder over Poncha Pass to Johnson Village 
  • August 7-15: US 50 from the CO 114 intersection to Coaldale
  • August 17: U.S. 291 from Salida to the US 24 Intersection
  • August 18-20: U.S. 24 from Granite to Antero Junction (U.S. 24/U.S 285 intersection)

Traffic Impacts

Travelers will encounter re-striping operations Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Speeds will be reduced to 40 mph in work zones. This is a swift moving, mobile operation. Although work zones will only be in place for a few hours, motorists are urged to use caution and watch for heavy equipment. At times, through lanes and turn lanes may be temporarily closed to traffic causing brief travel delays. Any temporary closures are to ensure the safety of the workers and the traveling public. Travelers are discouraged from passing the striping truck and crossing over fresh paint, as this may damage a vehicle’s finish. Please drive with patience during striping operations. 

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!

Project Information

For additional information about this project: 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

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.

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative 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.