US 160 asphalt overlay job to begin west of South Fork in south-central Colorado

News Release

July 8, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado - Project will improve the road surface east of Wolf Creek Pass

MINERAL & RIO GRANDE COUNTIES — The Colorado Department of Transportation announces improvements to US Highway 160 beginning the week of July 13. The project will improve approximately 11 miles of US 160 in Mineral and Rio Grande Counties, beginning west of South Fork at Mile Point 185 and ending at near the Wolf Creek Tunnel, MP 174.    

The work consists of milling and overlaying old worn asphalt, improving shoulders, replacing guardrail, and replacing faded sign panels. The project was contracted to Oldcastle SW Group, and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2020. 

The project will greatly enhance safety for travelers on this narrow two-lane highway. When completed motorists will experience a smoother roadway with improved safety. Busy highways must bear heavy commercial truck traffic as well as passenger vehicles. About every 10-15 years asphalt roads need to have their top layers milled and resurfaced. Periodic resurfacing of the top layer of asphalt and timely repairs can greatly extend the life of the highway pavement.

TRAVEL IMPACTS 

During work hours motorists are asked to use caution when approaching and driving through the work zone. Travelers are urged to check COtrip for updated traffic impacts, possible width restrictions, and speed reductions. Currently, impacts for the project include:

  • Crews will begin work at the east end of the project limits, MP 185, near South Fork, with operations advancing west toward the Wolf Creek Tunnel.

  • Project work hours are daylight hours, Monday through Friday. No weekend work is currently anticipated. 

  • Expect travel delays of up to 15 minutes.

  • Motorists will encounter brief stops with single-lane alternating traffic, guided by flagging personnel.

  • The speed limit is reduced to 40 mph through the work zone. 

  • Flagging personnel will be on sight to direct travelers through the area as construction equipment enters and exits the work zone. Drive with extreme caution. 

US 160 Overlay Map

PROJECT AND TRAVEL INFORMATION

For additional information about this project, contact the project team. 

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.

  • Anticipate guidance from flagging personnel and merge when directed to do so.

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

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

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.

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

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

  • Be patient!

COVID-19  

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, road maintenance and construction continue on CDOT projects with social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced  guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

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 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. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.