US 550 North of Ridgway

Project Overview

In fall 2015, CDOT completed this rock fall mitigation project on US 550, two miles north of Ridgway. The project, contracted to Rock Solid Solutions for $1.8 million, began on Monday, March 23, 2015.

Background

This project involved extensive rock excavation between mile point (MP) 106 and 107 to reduce the risk of rock fall and to improve motorists' sight distance around the curve in the highway. Work included:

• drilling;
• blasting;
• rock scaling;
• installation of 37 anchors from which to hang approximately 16,000 square feet of wire rock fall mesh; and
• installation of approximately 20, 25-foot-long rock bolts.

There are 30 extra feet between the highway's edge and the hillside to serve as a rock catchment area. Crews also installed a 12-foot-high soil nail (retaining) wall at the base of the hillside.