CO Highway 96 to close for water main installation

Travel Advisory

July 31, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Work is set to begin August 5 between North Avondale and Boone

Pueblo County — The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with its contract partner Pate Construction, will begin water main installation work on Colorado Highway 96 between North Avondale and Boone on August 5 as part of the Arkansas Valley Conduit Project. Work will take place along CO 96 starting at Mile Point 69.5 near North Avondale and US 50 to MP 75.5 near Boone and CO 209.

The AVC is a significant infrastructure project designed to provide reliable municipal and industrial water to 39 communities in Southeastern Colorado. The pipeline will deliver water from Pueblo Reservoir to Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties, ultimately serving up to 50,000 people.

Work will largely consist of pipeline trenching and boring. Work will be done primarily in the eastbound lane for the five-mile stretch of CO 96 with both east- and westbound lanes closed in sections for the duration of the project.

The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

Traffic Impacts

Motorists and area residents can expect the following impacts during construction:

  • Closure of CO 96 to thru traffic between MP 69.5 to MP 75.5 for the full duration of the project
  • Closures will be 24/7 through June 2025
  • Local residents and motorists should plan for detours that will change as the project advances from west to east
  • Local traffic will have access from either direction of the worksite
  • Access to properties within the active worksite will be guided by flaggers and detour signs and may have up to 15-minute delays
  • The speed limit may be reduced through the work zone
  • The project is expected to last until the June 2025
Road map identifying CO Highway 96 from North Avondale to Boone.
Travel Advisory - CO 96 east- and westbound closures between North Avondale and Boone. Closed to thru traffic. Local traffic guided by flaggers with expected delays of 15 minutes

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:

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!

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