Final Paving Begins on US 550 South of Durango

September 25, 2012 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - Traffic switches and delays near CR 302 over the next week and a half, weather dependent.

LA PLATA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation is nearing completion on its project to improve a section of US 550 south of Durango. The project, which lies north and south of La Plata County Road (CR) 302 (between mile posts 11.3 and 12.8), involves major reconstruction with intersection safety improvements and a new four-lane divided highway through this stretch.

This project has involved excavation and new roadway construction, new right-of-way and wildlife fencing, a wildlife detection system at the fence ends, wildlife escape ramps and guards, and drainage improvements. The project was contracted to Old Castle SW Group Inc. of Grand Junction for $4.77 million and is on track for completion in mid-November.

NEW!! TRAVEL IMPACTS: Paving starts this Thursday, September 27, and will likely lasting through next Monday, October 8, (weather permitting). During this time, motorists will encounter travel lane shifts, traffic slowing and some delays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, during the night time (after 6:00 pm) all traffic will be switched back onto the appropriate northbound and southbound lanes, but with just a single lane in each direction until all paving is complete. Depending up weather and schedule, weekend work is possible. Following the completion of paving, motorists will encounter only periodic traffic impacts as crews wrap up final work items such as signing, striping, landscaping and more. The project remains on schedule for a mid-November completion. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

PROJECT INFORMATION: For additional information or questions about the project, the public may contact Marty Punchak at (970) 247-2172. Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/currentcond/ or by calling 511. To receive project updates via wireless device or e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items/areas you can subscribe to.