CO 172 Ignacio Resurfacing

About the Project:

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Oldcastle SW Group, Inc., will make surface, accessibility, safety and drainage improvements to a 16.7-mile section of CO Highway 172 through the town of Ignacio north to the junction of US 160 (locally known as Elmore's Corner). The project will include surface treatment of the entire stretch; several culvert upgrades; some new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps in downtown Ignacio and other traffic safety upgrades.

Project Benefits:

The surface treatment project includes the following improvements:

• Culvert replacement in three locations prior to paving, to enhance highway and drainage infrastructure: at MP 11.59 and MP 14.23, both south of the airport (airport turn-off is at MP 18.9); and at MP 20, just north of the airport
• Florida River bridge resurfacing at MP 19.4 north of the airport, to maintain the bridge deck and driving surface
• Culvert repairs/upgrades at three additional locations, to enhance highway and drainage infrastructure
• Deep-patch repairs to the roadway in two locations, one just north of the airport (near MP 19), and one in downtown Ignacio, to improve the roadway and enhance safety for drivers 
• Asphalt resurfacing of the entire 16.7-mile stretch (two applications), to improve the roadway and enhance safety for drivers 

ADA ramps and concrete work in downtown Ignacio will enhance safety for pedestrians.  Work will occur at the following intersection locations, in order of progression from south to north (approximately MP 8.5 to 9.3):

• El Paso Road
• Pine Street
• Navajo Street
• Empire Street
• Ute Street
• Pioneer Street
• Lampert Street
• Lakin Street
• Ignacio Street
• Browning Street

Work Schedule:

• Daytime work hours will likely be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays. Hours will vary a bit with available daylight. This spring, April to June, work will be underway on culverts and downtown Ignacio ADA ramps. Paving operations will likely get underway in June or July, with longer work zones and lengthier delays (see www.cotrip.org for weekly updates to locations and/or request weekly email updates by contacting us at the phone number or email address above, right).

Traffic Impacts:

Phase I Paving - July 24 through approximately late August

• Paving works zone extends from just south of the US 160 junction to just south/east of the airport.
• Single-lane, alternating traffic Monday - Friday; some Saturday work is possible.
• Delays up to 30 minutes can be expected, depending upon traffic volumes.
• The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph through the work zone.
• Commuters driving on CO 172 through the work area the Durango/La Plata County Airport (DRO) should allow themselves at least 30 minutes of extra travel time.