The Colorado Department of Transportation will continue to work on the final phase of reconstruction on U.S. 160 between Cortez and Durango through part of the 1999-2000 winter.

The 14-mile project, beginning approximately 11 miles east of Mancos near the Cherry Creek Road and extending east towards the Wildcat Canyon Road turnoff, started in July. Nielsons Inc. of Cortez has been performing the work for CDOT.

The first phase of construction has included shoulder-widening, drainage improvements, wetlands mitigation, and retaining-wall construction along most of the project length.

Construction will be suspended over the holidays until Jan. 3. Work will then resume at isolated areas along the roadside to complete some concrete structures and rehabilitate the La Plata River culvert in Hesperus. Motorists may experience minimal delays at those locations. When this work has been finished, the project will be suspended for the rest of the winter.

When work resumes next spring, motorists should anticipate continued slope, shoulder and drainage work from Lake Durango east. In addition, intersection and lane construction will be performed at the following major intersections: Hesperus Ski Area, Hesperus (State Highway 140), La Plata Canyon (County Road 124), Durango West I, Durango West II, Lightner Creek Road (CR 207), and Wildcat Canyon Road (CR 141). These improvements may involve adding, modifying or lengthening acceleration/deceleration lanes.

Also, the intersections of SH 140 and CR 207 will be completely regraded and realigned in an effort to improve safety. Highway lighting will also be provided there. Major resurfacing to improve the driving surface will include reconstructing the top four inches of the existing pavement with recycled pavement material, followed by a six-inch asphalt overlay.