Wolf Creek Pass highway project update given

VALLEY — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor Structures, Inc. will be installing two large, fixed overhead signs across US 160 on Wolf Creek Pass this week, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, September 18-19.

Sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. each morning, motorists will encounter a single, extended traffic hold in both directions for 30 to 45 minutes as crews secure a large sign structure over the highway. After the structure is safely mounted, there will be traffic lane shifts at the sign locations for the remainder of the day, as well as a traffic lane shift at the scenic overlook further west.

This sign upgrade and safety-improvement project began in early June and involves installation of an upgrading safety barrier, signage and new striping on a section of US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass. The various work areas lie between mile points (MP) 158, near the Treasure Falls parking area at the western base of the pass, and MP 173, about five miles east of the ski area. This safety-improvement project, scheduled for completion by late September 2018, was contracted to Structures, Inc. for $1.66 million.

Work items include the following:

This week ? new large, fixed overhead diagrammatic signs showing a hairpin curve and “YOU ARE HERE” (there will be two of these, at MP 166.67 and MP 163, as motorists approach the curve)

New static sign - “WOLF CREEK PASS, STEEP GRADES AHEAD, TRUCKS USE LOW GEAR” (MP 172.9)

New static sign - “STEEP GRADES 3 MILES AHEAD” (MP 169.35)

Additional concrete safety barrier at the entrance to the scenic overlook

Re-setting eastbound static overhead sign “STEEP GRADE, WINDING ROAD NEXT 9 MILES” (MP 166.88)

Additional signage above two existing truck ramp signs (“RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMP”) will be installed; these additional signs will be dynamic LED signs that flash “USE TRUCK RAMP” if a truck is going too fast (MP 161.21 and MP 160.88)

New striping from Treasure Falls to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass (MP 158 to MP 166.5)

New asphalt overlay in the vicinity of the scenic overlook/hairpin curve

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Through the duration of the project motorists will encounter the following travel impacts:

A full closure of the scenic overlook (temporary barrier will be in place 24/7); there will be no parking or stopping anywhere in the surrounding area

Narrow travel lanes and a speed limit reduction in place 24/7

Periodic traffic lane shifts at various sign installation locations

A 10-foot width restriction at all times, 24/7

During work hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists may be stopped periodically at either end of the work zone, when necessary for worker and traveler safety

Please avoid distractions as you travel through the work zone and go “Slow for the Cone Zone!”

STAY CONNECTED:  Those with questions or comments regarding the work can log onto the project web site at www.codot.gov/projects/us-160-wolf-creek-signs, call the project information line at (719) 480-1530 or email the project team at [email protected].

Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts

See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html

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Caption: The scenic overlook on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass is closed through the duration of the project. The project is expected to be completed in late September./Photo courtesy of CDOT