CDOT begins bridge maintenance project  to address several structures

September 12, 2019 - Southwestern Colorado - Construction to begin in Durango on September 23, motorists should use alternate route via Highway 3

The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin a multiple-location bridge maintenance project on Monday, September 23. American Civil Constructors has been contracted for this $2.6 million project.

BRIDGE LOCATIONS 

The project includes three bridge locations: 

  • One bridge is located at US Highway 160/550, 2.5 miles south of Durango at the Animas River. This bridge is known locally as the “high bridge” between Bodo Park and Walmart.

  • Two additional bridges are located on US Highway 550 at MP 1.95 and MP 1.2 near the Colorado/New Mexico state border. 

Work is expected to be completed on the three bridges by December. The project will then continue at other bridge locations in the spring of 2020.

As part of CDOT’s Whole System — Whole Safety initiative, this project will not only create better and safer driving conditions for travelers, it will also help to extend the lifespan of the bridges. The bridge rehabilitation project is part of the RAMP Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program and will consist of removing and replacing existing asphalt and deck concrete, installing waterproofing membrane, and removing and replacing bridge expansion devices. 

TRAVEL IMPACTS 

Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers will experience single-lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Lane closures will be directed by flaggers and a temporary traffic signal. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph within the work zone and will be strictly enforced. Traffic fines will be doubled in the work zone. Motorists should slow down, drive with caution and give themselves extra travel time. 

At the US 160 high bridge location, travelers are urged to consider the alternate route of Highway 3. See the attached map.  

HWY 3_Alt Rt_Bridge Mtnc.jpg

PROJECT INFORMATION 

For additional information about this project, call the project information line at 970-840-8517, email the team at [email protected], or visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/southwestern-colorado-bridge-maintenance.

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

REMEMBER: 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.  

Earlier this year, CDOT launched its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative 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 the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.


ABOUT CDOT

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located 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 inter-regional express service. Governor Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s inter-modal mobility options.