Nighttime work postponed to Sept. 20-24
There has been a schedule change for full night time closures of US Highway 160 at the wildlife crossings project site. The five nights of closures will now begin on Mon., Sept. 20 and continue through Fri., Sept. 24, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The section of U.S. 160 to be closed is located just east of the CO Highway 151 junction, near Chimney Rock National Monument and Lake Capote (near mile point 127). The safety closure of U.S. 160 is necessary to set the large precast concrete arches over the roadway.
The intersection of U.S. 160 and CO 151 will remain open; however, motorists will only be able to travel westbound (toward Bayfield and Durango) during nighttime closure times. Eastbound travel (toward Pagosa Springs) will not be allowed, as the closure area is just east of the intersection.
During the nighttime closures, motorists seeking eastbound/westbound access on U.S. 160 are advised to arrive at the closure point before 9 p.m. Otherwise, travelers may consider an alternate southern route via U.S. Highways 84, 64 and 550, through NM. A detour at the work zone is not available. Additionally, vehicles are not permitted to stop or wait overnight on U.S. 160 while the highway is closed.
US 160 Wildlife Project Map New Dates
Traffic Impacts
- Nighttime work: From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday, Sept. 20-24 (for five nights) motorists can expect a full shutdown of U.S. 160. Alternate routes via southern NM highways are advised during this timeframe. No detour for passenger or commercial traffic is available. Motorists are not allowed to park and wait along the highway overnight. (The project team has coordinated with area agencies to ensure law enforcement and medical vehicles have emergency access if needed.)
- Daytime work: Daytime work will not take place during the closure. Daytime construction activity will resume on Mon., Sept. 27, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A temporary signal will be in place 24/7, reducing vehicles to a single-lane and alternating traffic intermittently in either direction. Motorists can expect short delays. Speeds are reduced to 30 mph in the work zone.