Motorists should plan for several upcoming full, daytime closures of I-25 at Exit 11 for bridge replacement work

News Release

December 29, 2021 - Southeastern Colorado - Traffic will be detoured to the Exit 11 off-ramps to bypass the closures

Exit 11 Trinidad
Las Animas County — Starting on Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Transportation will implement several full daytime closures, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., of Interstate 25 at Exit 11, south of Trinidad. On Jan. 4 and Jan. 6, both directions of I-25 at Exit 11 will be fully closed while crews place girders for the new bridge that is currently under construction.

Travel Impacts

I-25 will be completely closed at both northbound and southbound approaches to Exit 11 just south of Trinidad on Tuesday, Jan. 4 and Thursday, Jan. 6. Traffic will be detoured off I-25 at the exit ramps and signage and uniformed law enforcement and/or traffic control personnel will direct motorists to follow the signs to access I-25 via the Exit 11 on-ramps. These onsite detours will not impact driving distance, but short delays can be expected as the ramps are under detour configuration during construction. Motorists and commercial vehicle operators should follow the signs and posted speed limits and exercise caution. Please refer to the map below for an illustration of the closures and detours.

Other full closures in January include the following:

  • Southbound I-25 at Exit 11 will be fully closed on Wednesday, Jan. 5 and Monday, Jan. 10 for bridge deck and overhang bracket installation work
  • Northbound I-25 at Exit 11 will be fully closed on Tuesday, Jan. 11 for deck pan and overhang work.
  • Either northbound or southbound I-25 at Exit 11 will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 13 for bridge deck work.
  • The closures will be in place from approximately 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Variable message boards and advanced warning signs will be in place in both directions of I-25 from Pueblo to the New Mexico border alerting motorists to the closures
  • Signage, construction cones and devices will be present along the ramp detour routes for safe navigation during the closures
  • Please be advised that all construction schedules are weather dependent and subject to change.

All closures will necessitate detouring traffic onto the Exit 11 off ramps and back onto I-25 with minimal impacts to distance, and short delays added to drive times.

Exit 11 is located on I-25 at Mile Point 11, or 11 miles from the New Mexico/Colorado border.

Work Underway

CDOT and contractor Flatiron Construction are building a new bridge approximately 100 feet south of the existing structure.

The closures on I-25 are in place to accommodate the delivery and placement of girders that will span the superstructure of the new bridge. Single direction closures of I-25 will exist while crews work on the bridge deck and install overhang brackets.

The new bridge is part of the I-25 Exit 11 Interchange Improvement project that began in mid-July 2021. The project is designed to improve infrastructure, upgrade facilities, add safety features, and improve access to Fishers Peak and area destinations. Work includes replacing the bridge, building ramp crossovers, constructing new roundabouts at the east and west sides of the interchange to improve traffic flow, adding pedestrian facilities, and improving access to the Port of Entry. Work is being performed in four phases with an expected completion date of late December 2022.

Project Information

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

Know Before You Go

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:

  • Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
  • Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/3DYCDOH
  • Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
  • See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/3rO1bHk
  • Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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!