US 160 scour mitigation project to begin near South Fork

Travel Advisory

September 25, 2020 - Southwestern Colorado - Travelers will encounter minimal traffic impacts

RIO GRANDE COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation with American Civil Constructors will begin scour mitigation work on a bridge structure just east of the town of South Fork over the south fork of the Rio Grande River. Work will begin on October 5, with completion expected in November. 

Bridge Scour Project Map

This scour mitigation project will primarily consist of removal of  sand and gravel rocks from around center bridge pier, this material will be replaced with larger diameter boulders which will improve the integrity of the structure during high flow events, such as spring runoff. The project will begin with structure excavation, then move to riprap placement, and be followed up by permanent erosion control and seeding. Work will take place on US Highway 160 at MP 186.32.

Flood events on rivers can cause erosion of the soil around a bridge foundation. This process is frequently referred to as bridge scour. Over time, scour can lead to bridge failure. To manage the risk of bridge failure, countermeasures are used to mitigate the scour effects.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

Daytime work hours will range from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. Vehicles can expect minimal impacts and will only be stopped to allow for trucks to enter and exit the work area. There will be no reduced speeds within the work zone. Traffic fines in the construction zone will be doubled. Motorists should slow down as they approach the work zones, drive with caution, allow extra space between vehicles, and give themselves extra travel time.

PROJECT INFORMATION 

For additional information about this project: 

Call the project information line at 719-941-5201

Email the project team at: [email protected]

Visit the project web page at:  https://www.codot.gov/projects/us160-bridgescour-southfork

 

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.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

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

  • 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.

  • Be patient!

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. 

In early 2019, CDOT announced 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.

COVID-19  

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow 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 and wearing face masks.  As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return 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.