US 285/CO 9 Fairplay Intersection Improvements & Bridge Replacement

Weekly Traffic Impacts - Feb. 4 to Feb. 10

Travel Advisory - Feb. 6 - Overnight lane closure & traffic holds on US 285 during bridge girder placement

• The southbound lane of US 285 south of the CO 9 intersection at the site of the bridge will be closed during overnight hours on Tuesday, Feb 6 while crews perform safety critical girder placement work
• This closure will be taken from approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, weather permitting
• A backup date will be scheduled in the event of inclement weather
• During the closure, alternating directions of traffic will be shifted into the open northbound lane by flaggers, with holds up to 15 minutes expected
• The closure and traffic holds are necessary to maintain safety for the traveling public, the construction crews, and the surrounding community while crews lift and set four bridge girders by crane
• Signs, construction devices and overhead lighting will also be present to alert the public to the work and closure and to maintain safety
• An 11-foot width restriction is in place and will be enforced during this overnight work
• Construction schedules are weather dependent and subject to change

Sunday, Feb. 4 to Saturday, Feb. 10 - US 285 & CO 9 - intermittent overnight lane closures & 24/7 shoulder closures 

• The southbound lane on US 285 at the site of the bridge will be closed during overnight girder placement work on Tuesday, Feb. 6 
• This closure will be taken from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, weather permitting
• During this closure, motorists can expect traffic holds in each direction of US 285 for up to 15 minutes while crews lift and set girders by crane
• Please refer to the Travel Advisory above for more details about impacts during this Feb. 6 overnight safety critical event
• For the duration of the project, motorists can expect intermittent overnight single lane closures in both directions of U.S. Highway 285 and Colorado Highway 9 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday and from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Thursday, as needed (except holidays) 
• During these lane closures, alternating directions of traffic will be shifted into the open lane to bypass the closed lane
• Flaggers, signs, construction devices and light plants will be present to safely manage traffic flows
• Lane closure distances will not exceed one mile in length
• Motorists can expect some delays
• Shoulder closures and lane narrowing exist on both highways within the project limits
• Working hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (sunrise to sunset) Monday to Friday & overnight from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Thursday
• Some Saturday work is also expected
• No closures will be taken during blackout periods (see below)
• An 11-foot width restriction is in place
• Barrier and construction devices are present within the work zone
• All construction schedules are weather and work dependent and subject to change

General Project Impacts & Scope of Work

• The project began in May 2023 with an anticipated completion date of late October  
• The scope of work includes bridge replacement on US 285 just south of the intersection of US 285/CO 9, intersection improvements, drainage line installation, adding ADA curb ramps in Fairplay and Alma, and making other safety and accessibility upgrades
• The project limits on US 285 extend from Mile Point 181.83 to MP 184.064 in Fairplay
• Curb ramp replacement work will also be performed in Fairplay on CO 9 from MP 64.7 to MP 70.4, and in Alma from MP 70.4 to MP 70.9
• Motorists can expect overnight lane closures in both directions of US 285 and CO 9 during construction
• Shoulder closures and lane narrowing exist throughout the work zone
• Motorists can expect longer than normal delays at the US 285/CO 9 intersection on weekends, especially Sunday afternoons, due to heavy corridor traffic backups
• Alternate routes are strongly advised
• Motorists can bypass the intersection by taking CR 3 or Platte Drive
• During curb ramp work, shoulder and sidewalk closures can be expected
• Reduced speeds (45 mph) and a width restriction of 11 feet are in place
• All construction schedules are weather and work dependent and subject to change

Winter Work Schedule

• Crews will work through the winter months, weather permitting
• Daytime working hours may be reduced
• Work activities may be limited, depending on weather conditions and temperatures