Highway Closure Alert
U.S. 550 north of Durango closed on Sat., May 27 of Memorial Day weekend
Drivers may consider alternate route via Telluride
Southwest Colorado— U.S. Highway 550 will be closed north of Durango on Sat., May 27, during the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Motorists are urged to leave Durango early if traveling to Silverton or points beyond, since U.S. 550 will be closed between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to accommodate cyclists.
Likewise, travelers heading south from Silverton, Ridgway or Montrose on U.S. 550 should be aware the highway will be closed just south of Silverton. Motorists will not be permitted to travel within the closure points after 8:30 a.m. The highway will reopen at 1:30 p.m.
Additional Traffic Impacts in Durango
Also on Saturday from 7 - 9:30 a.m. motorists will experience traffic impacts to accommodate several biking race and tour start times, with cyclists set to depart from Main Avenue and 33rd Street.
Just north of Durango, southbound traffic will be diverted from U.S. 550 onto CR 203 at Hermosa Creek to Animas View Drive. Northbound traffic from Durango to Purgatory will proceed along U.S. 550 following traffic control personnel, signage, and cones set in place. Motorists must obey all traffic control signage and personnel.
Plan Ahead
Friends or family members who plan to pick up cyclists in Silverton are advised to allow ample time to get through the closure point locations in Silverton and at Purgatory before 8:30 a.m. Purgatory is located 25 miles north of Durango and is an approximate 35 - 45 minute drive from Durango.
No work zones or construction projects are taking place between Durango and Silverton this year. For the past several weeks, CDOT maintenance crews have been maintaining and sweeping the highway to clear the road of debris, such as gravel and rocks.
Drivers are reminded and urged to watch for cyclists and drive safely for this event and other special events which may be taking place over the busy holiday weekend.
US 550 Roadway and Safety Improvement Project South of Montrose
WORK
The US 550 corridor safety improvements include the following:
Southern Section - County Line to Centennial RV Park, MP 117.3 to MP 118.8
•Deer fence, jump-outs and deer guards at each access
•Left-turn deceleration lane at Centennial RV Park
Central Section - Uncompahgre Road to north of Trout Road, MP 121.3 to MP 123.1
• Trout Road intersection realignment
• Passing lanes at Trout Road
• Long left-turn lane from Tulare Road to north of Ridge View Drive
Northern Section - south of Solar Road to Otter Road, MP 123.4 to 126.1
• Solar Road intersection realignment
• Solar Road left-turn deceleration lanes
• Long left-turn lane at Rose Road and Riverside Road
• Racine Road intersection realignment
Full Length of Project - County Line to Otter Road, MP 117.3 to 126.1
• Access control •Frontage road right-of-way fence
The new passing lanes will improve traffic flow and provide safer operational conditions while the auxiliary lanes will provide vehicles a safe path to decelerate to an appropriate speed before exiting the highway.
TIMELINE:
Daytime work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The project is expected to last through October.
PLAN FOR:
Motorists should plan for lane shifts, shoulder closures, one-lane alternating traffic, and a reduced speed limit throughout the work-zone.
US 550 Ouray to Colona Resurfacing Project
The project will take place on US 550 for 22 miles from Mile Point 93.8, north of Ouray, to MP 115.6, just south of Colona.
Work will include asphalt paving, shoulder widening at three locations, bridge maintenance on three structures, installing new guardrails, new pavement markings, and signing. An additional work zone is located south of Ouray at Bear Creek tunnel (MP 90 to 91) where crews will replace concrete panel approaches at each end of the tunnel.
TIMELINE:
April - November 2022
PLAN FOR:
Alternating traffic at various locations throughout the project limits. Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm | Expect up to 20-minute delays
US 50 Little Blue Creek Canyon
Our goal is to provide more reliable travel times and improve driver safety on US Highway 50 through the Little Blue Creek Canyon, 30 miles east of Montrose and 30 miles west of Gunnison, in Gunnison County, Colorado (from mile points 123 to 127).
Funds are being provided by CDOT and the Federal Lands Access Program
Work to be Completed:
build wider shoulders
improve roadway alignment
stabilize slopes by installing rockfall catchment fences and utilizing other methods
replace guardrail
improve sight lines
improve safety throughout the canyon corridor
OPEN TWO-WAY TRAFFIC Friday at 5:30 PM to Monday at 8:30 AM
FULL DAYTIME ROAD CLOSURES Monday – Friday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 1:30 – 5:30 PM
FULL NIGHTTIME CLOSURES Monday - Thursday | 7:30 PM - 6:30 AM
SINGLE LANE ALTERNATING TRAFFIC OPENINGS 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM | 12:30 - 1:30 PM | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
TIPS: Plan your travel around the opening windows and be prepared to queue at designated areas.
More information can be found at US50Info.com
