CDOT Begins Improvements to US 160 Durango to Hesperus

LA PLATA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Oldcastle SW Group, Inc., have begun a project to improve the surface of US 160 between Durango and Hesperus—a distance of about 10 miles.

“The pavement is showing signs of fatigue,” CDOT Region 5 Resident Engineer Steven Cross said. “Through our asset management program, we design solutions to extend the life of the pavement to avoid a costlier reconstruction project. In this case, that means addressing the more serious damage in specific areas and then providing an asphalt overlay.”

First, crews will patch damaged areas along the stretch (which is between mile point 71 west of Hesperus and MP 81.3, at the end of the concrete section just west of Durango). Then, they will apply a one-inch layer asphalt to smooth and correct the roadway surface, followed by a two-inch asphalt overlay. The work will also include guardrail upgrades.

The project was contracted to Oldcastle for $4.9 million.

TRAVEL IMPACTS:  Through the project’s completion in mid-October 2014, motorists can expect a single lane closure in each direction (thus, one travel lane in each direction will remain open) Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work hours may extend past 5 p.m. later this summer. The speed limit is reduced to 40 mph, so motorists should plan for some relatively minor delays, depending upon summer traffic volumes.

PROJECT INFORMATION: For information about this project or to leave a message, call the project information line at (970) 254-3288. CDOT projects statewide, log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511 from anywhere in the state. To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html.