Permanent Concrete Guardrail on US 550 north of Durango

About the Project:

This project is short in its time frame (50 working days) but is slated to improve safety on US 550 at the Cascade Curve north of Durango. The project will replace the current standard barrier with a larger 10.5-foot wide permanent concrete guardrail that is anchored to the highway. It will also wrap around onto US Forest Service Road 783, which provides access to Cascade Creek. Improving drainage is an additional aspect of the project.

Project Benefits

This stretch of highway has a steep grade and therefore requires extra measures of safety. Guardrails can operate to deflect a vehicle back to the roadway, slow the vehicle down to a complete stop, or, in certain circumstances, slow the vehicle down and then let it proceed past the guardrail.

Work Schedule:

Working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday during the summer and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the fall/winter

Traffic Impacts:

• Travelers can expect reduced speeds and one-lane closures with an alternating traffic light directing traffic
• Refer to COtrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures

Work this Week & Lane Closures
US 550 Cascade Curve