Upcoming bridge closure on CO 71 between Rocky Ford and Hawley

OTERO COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation, in cooperation with TLM Constructors, will begin work on a structure south of Rocky Ford on CO Highway 71. Work on the bridge replacement will start on Feb. 8 and continue until May. This work will require a full road closure at Mile Point 10.71 of CO 71 over the Rocky Ford Highline Canal. Motorists are encouraged to detour onto County Road 18.

The project will consist of one bridge replacement, bridge rail and guardrail replacement and roadway reconstruction for the bridge approach. This project will benefit motorists by making the bridge safer and improving the driving experience.

Traffic Impacts

• Bridge closure throughout the duration of the project.

• Motorists are encouraged to detour onto County Road 18.

• From Rocky Ford use 2nd Street to CO 202 to County Road 18.

• Work will begin Feb. 8 and is expected to be complete in May.

• Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Project Information 

For additional information about this project: 

• Call the project information line at 719-789-1438

• Email the project team at: [email protected]

• Visit the project website at: 

• https://www.codot.gov/projects/co71-bridge-replacement

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:

• Road conditions and travel information: www.COtrip.org 

• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts

• See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html 

• Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot
  

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!

About CDOT

CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely, and our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, 3,429 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.