Road work continues on 160, 145

Road work continues on 160, 145

July 17, 2001

Road construction continues on U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 145, causing some delays for area travelers.

An 11-mile repaving project on Highway 160 just east of the junction of Colorado 501 to the Florida River near Bayfield is expected to cause delays of up to 20 minutes weekdays through August. The project will include removal of existing concrete, soil replacement, highway reconstruction and striping.
A pilot car will assist with traffic. There will be a 14-foot width restriction in effect during the days. Wider loads need to be escorted; call the project engineer at (970) 884-0374. No work will be done on holidays or weekends.
On Wolf Creek Pass, several projects are slowing traffic so much that alternate routes are advised.

Daytime delays of up to 45 minutes may be expected as work continues weekdays east of the summit. Blasting an excavating operations are proceeding in order to construct a realignment through a 950-foot tunnel. A width restriction of 10 feet is in effect around the clock Mondays through Fridays.

In addition, highway improvements on 160 at Treasure Falls west of the summit of Wolf Creek Pass may cause delays of up to 15 minutes. Alternate routes are advised. Flaggers will assist with traffic. A width restriction of 10 feet is in effect around the clock through November.

The pass is closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday nights on the east side, known as the "Upper Narrows."

An alternate route is U.S. 285 from the east or U.S. 84 from the west, both of which connect with New Mexico Highway 17. Motor carriers using this route, which adds 36 miles, must comply with New Mexico highway restrictions on oversize/overweight vehicles. Project updates are available at (719) 873-2221 or the CDOT information hotline at 1-877-315-ROAD.

On Colorado 145 between Telluride and Placerville, a 13-mile improvement project consists of overlay, bridge-safety improvement and bridge replacement and will also include intersection improvements at Society Turn and Ilium. During daytime working hours, motorists can expect delays of up to 30 minutes with single-lane alternating traffic and, when necessary, a temporary traffic signal at night, Mondays through Saturdays.

This week, crews will lay asphalt and replace guardrails along the Keystone Hill area.