US 550 north of Durango closed Saturday, May 25, for Iron Horse bike race

Travel Advisory

May 16, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Vehicle travel not permitted beyond closure points after 8:30 a.m.

Southwest Colorado - To accommodate the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, the Colorado Department of Transportation will close US Highway 550 to vehicle travel on Saturday, May 25 between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton. Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m, or travel through the closure points before 8:30 a.m.

Iron Horse event officials encourage friends or family members who plan to pick up cyclists in Silverton to allow ample time to get through the closure point locations in Silverton and at Purgatory before 8:30 a.m., as there is no return transportation available for race participants. Purgatory Ski Resort is located 25 miles north of Durango and is an approximate 35 to 45 minute drive from Durango.

During the race, motorists headed south between Hermosa and Durango will be detoured from US 550 onto County Road 203 at Hermosa Creek to Animas View Drive. Northbound traffic from Durango to Purgatory will proceed along US 550 following traffic control personnel, signage, and cones set in place. Motorists must obey all traffic control signage and personnel.

Motorists will also experience brief delays and traffic impacts Saturday morning in Durango, along North Main Avenue, as several waves of cyclists are set to depart from 33rd Street. The first group of 600 professional cyclists will depart at 7:30 a.m., followed by approximately 2000 cyclists at 8 a.m. and at 8:15 a.m. a smaller wave of 150 cyclists will join the race.

With multiple bicycle events taking place over the busy holiday weekend, drivers are reminded and urged to watch for cyclists and drive safely.

For more information about the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, visit www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

Map of US 550 closure and suggested alternate routes via CO 145 during the 2024 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
Map of US 550 closure and suggested alternate routes via CO 145 on Saturday, May 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the 2024 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

Plan Ahead

CDOT encourages motorists to plan ahead and leave Durango early, before 7 a.m., if traveling to Silverton or points north, beyond Silverton. Likewise, travelers heading south from Silverton, Ridgway or Montrose on US 550 should be aware the highway will be closed just south of Silverton.

Drivers may consider an alternate route via CO 145 through Telluride. This westerly route will add approximately one hour of additional driving time, taking approximately three hours from Durango to Telluride and ending in Ridgway (approximately 150 miles).

  • US 160 Durango to Mancos
  • CO 184 Mancos to Dolores
  • CO 145 Dolores to Placerville
  • CO 62 Placerville to Ridgway

Continuing south on US 550 to Silverton will add an additional 60 minutes of drive time (approximately 40 miles).

No work zones or construction projects are taking place between Durango and Silverton this year. For the past several weeks, CDOT maintenance crews have been maintaining and sweeping the highway to clear the road of debris, such as gravel and rocks.

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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!