US 50 Olathe Resurfacing

Project Completed

About the Project:

The Colorado Department of Transportation and prime contractor, United Companies, will begin resurfacing US Highway 50 through the town of Olathe starting in early May. The project zone will span over ten miles on US 50 from Mile Point 76.84 to 86.04, including the US 50 Business Loop (MP 0.0 to MP 0.93) and three adjacent US 50 frontage roads. The project’s primary focus will be resurfacing both the east and westbound lanes of each roadway using a leveling and overlay process. Other elements of the project include constructing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps at several intersections through Olathe, installing new traffic camera systems, implementing new striping and rumble strips and placing new guardrails and delineators.


Project Benefits

  • Resurfacing operations will improve and prolong the life of the roadway surface, as well as provide a smoother and more enjoyable driving experience for all motorists.
  • The new guardrails, rumble strips, and striping will boast added safety benefits for travelers along the US 50 corridor.
  • The addition of ADA curb ramps through Olathe will contribute to more accessible travel paths to multimodal users.

Work Schedule:

  • Work will start in early May and continue to September of this year.
  • General working hours will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday with no anticipated weekend or overnight construction.
  • Crews will begin leveling operations on the west end of the project, moving east toward the Colorado Highway 348 intersection.
  • After leveling the west section of US 50, the project team will begin overlaying the entire US 50 stretch from the east end of the project zone back toward the west.
  • Work will then transition to resurfacing US 50 Frontage Road 1, which lies on the north side of US 50 between David Road and 12th Street, followed by the US 50 Business Loop.
  • Operations will finish at US 50 Frontage Road 2, which runs south of US 50 between CO 348 and Falcon Road, and Frontage Road 3 that continues on the south side of US 50 east to 6025 Road.

Traffic Impacts:

Motorists can expect the following impacts during the period of construction:

  • Travelers can expect flagging operations with alternating single lane closures throughout the duration of the project. One through-lane of traffic will remain open on US 50 in both directions at all times with minimal expected delays.
  • As construction shifts to the US 50 Business Loop and adjacent frontage roads, intermittent detour routes and width restrictions are anticipated.
  • Varying speed reductions throughout the project zone will be in effect. Please follow all signage on-site for adjusted speed limits.
  • Refer to COtrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures

Project Facts

  • Construction Cost: $15.2 Million
  • Contractor: United Companies
  • Timeline: May to September 2024
  • Location: US 50, Frontage Roads 1, 2, and 3, and the US 50D Business Loop 
    • Nearest Town/City: through Olathe
    • Mile Point(s): MP 76.84 to MP 86.04
    • County: Montrose & Delta Counties