US 160 Wildlife Crossings - La Plata & Archuleta Counties

Project Facts

  • Cost: $11 million
  • Contractor: Ralph L. Wadsworth
  • Timeline: March - November 2021
  • Location:  13 miles west of Pagosa Springs and 37 miles east of Durango, La Plata & Archuleta Counties

US 160 Wildlife Crossing Artist Rendering

Artist's Rendering of US 160 Wildlife Crossing

Project Complete

The main goal of the project is constructing a new wildlife mitigation structures. Other construction includes improvements to the highway and intersection. The is located approximately 13 miles west of Pagosa Springs and 37 miles east of Durango (MM 126-128). New safety features for motorists and animals will include: 

  • Wildlife underpass 
  • Wildlife overpass 
  • 8-foot-tall exclusion fence along both sides of US 160
  • Earthen escape ramps and deer guards 
  • Extension of the existing westbound passing lane on US 160
  • Construction of a left-turn acceleration lane on US 160 at the CO 151 intersection
  • Pavement resurfacing along a two mile stretch of US 160

Critter cam image

The wildlife underpass is already seeing usage
by animals, capture by CDOT's critter cam.  

View the Project Video