US 160 McCabe Creek culvert replacement project to begin in August

Travel Advisory

July 29, 2021 - Southwestern Colorado

US 160 McCabe Creek Project Map

ARCHULETA COUNTY — In early August, the Colorado Department of Transportation, along with Four Corners Materials, will begin work at McCabe Creek on US 160 San Juan/Main Street and S. 6th Street in the town of Pagosa Springs.

This project will involve replacing aged metal culverts with new precast concrete box culverts. Additionally, riprap lined drainage improvements will establish a new downstream channel, allowing for better drainage along the road. Other work will include updating the guardrail and bridge rail, erosion control, sidewalk work, and fencing along the corridor.    

“Concrete culverts are the preferred alternative when considering suitability to the site and life-cycle cost estimates,” said Julie Constan, CDOTS Regional Transportation Director. “The advantages of using these concrete culverts are superior durability for most environmental conditions, greater resistance to corrosion and damage due to debris, greater hydraulic efficiency, and typically longer service life.”

Project Schedule

  • Work will begin on this two- season project August 2, 2021 and is expected to be completed by September, 2022

  • The first week of work will entail primarily mobilization, with full construction activity following the week after

  • Working hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

  • There will be a winter shut down between mid-December to mid-March, weather depending

* Construction schedule is subject to change based on weather/unforeseen circumstances  

Travel Impacts

  • Starting Monday, August 2, S. 6th Street will be closed for one block from US 160 to S. 5th Street for the duration of the project. Motorists can continue to access US 160 via S. 5th Street/Lewis Street on the east end of the project and via S. and N. 7th Street on the west end of the project. 

  • All motorized vehicles should expect some travel impacts throughout the construction of this project.

  • Motorists should be aware of lane closures and potential lane shifts.

  • Motorists are urged to obey speed reductions and watch for construction personnel and equipment in the work zone.

  • Loads wider than 11 feet will be restricted through the work zone.

Project Contact Information

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:

About CDOT

CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.