CDOT continues Wrong Way Preventive Project on Interstate 25

May 7, 2019 - Southeastern Colorado - Night Work to start in Pueblo on Exit 101 and on CO 47 to US 50 on May 13

LAS ANIMAS, HUERFANO, PUEBLO, EL PASO COUNTY- The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contract partner Work Zone Traffic Control have made great progress, and continue to work expeditiously, on the wrong way preventive sign project in southern Colorado along Interstate (I) 25.

Sign placement continues in Pueblo County with night work to help alleviate the impact on the traveling public. Night work will be performed on I-25 at Exit 101 and on CO 47/Dillion Drive to US 50/Outlook Boulevard from 7:00 pm until 7:00 am, beginning May 13.  Motorist can expect single lane closures on the I-25, CO 47, US 50 and on the On/Off Ramps.

The sign project started mid January, over 3 months ago, at the Colorado/New Mexico state line. Crews have completed sign installation on 27 out of 77 ramps, up to Exit 67,  and completed 770 sings in Las Animas and Huerfano County. The installation of additional static signs and increased pavement markings at each exit will help to minimize wrong way entry onto I-25, therefore, improving overall safety of the traveling public.  

"The wrong way prevention project in southeastern Colorado, is one of the projects included in CDOT's Whole System, Whole Safety campaign, meant to fix a safety issue," explained Shoshana Lew, CDOT Executive Director. "Driver error is the leading cause of interstate wrong way entry. The additional signs and pavement markings will alert drivers in an effort to prevent wrong way entries, which is another step in the right direction of bringing everyone home safely."

ONGOING TRAFFIC IMPACTS

Motorists can expect the following impacts on I-25 from mile point (MP) 0 to MP 163.5:

  • Occasional north and southbound single lane closures.

  • North and southbound shoulder closures with north and southbound On and Off Ramp shoulder closures.  

  • The project work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm from MP 93 - MP 163 and 7:00 pm - 7:00 am on I-25 at Exit 101 and on CO 47/Dillion Drive to US 50/Outlook Boulevard.

  • This $2.1 million project will include the installation and replacement of approximately 2,500 wrong way/roadway signs at 77 on-off ramp locations and highway pavement marking.  The anticipated completion date is Fall 2019.

STAY INFORMED:  

Remember to Slow for the Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

·        Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.

·        Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

·        Watch for workers; drive with caution.

·        Don't change lanes unnecessarily.

·        Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

·        Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

·        Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

·        Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

·        Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

·        Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so.

·        Be Patient!

Whole System. Whole Safety  

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located at its Denver headquarters and in regional offices throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.