Roads continue to be an area of concern throughout the region following the recent flooding, with several area roads still closed and under repair.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Archuleta County offered updates this week on the progress of repairing damaged roadways.
CDOT
CDOT gave a briefing and issued a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 10, discussing repair work underway to prioritize critical flood repairs ahead of holiday travel.
According to CDOT, it has approximately 15 emergency work zones underway across five different highways following two consecutive flood events that impacted the region in a two-week time span.
“Our teams on the ground have made remarkable progress to make repairs after the two rounds of severe flooding,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We won’t stop this work to repair every damaged section of roadway, and some critical milestones that restore connectivity in southwest Colorado are very near. The team is currently on track to get limited traffic on Wolf Creek Pass open by this weekend, with Colo. 151 open before Thanksgiving. These roads will require speed reductions and extra traffic control, so we will need collaboration from the public to drive safely in these areas.”
According to the press release, CDOT maintenance crews and contractors have been working around the clock to reopen critical routes and prioritize extensive repair work on several highways, including U.S. 160 Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork.
“Contractors began work to stabilize and restore travel on Wolf Creek Pass only days after the first storm washed out a section of road east of the summit,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Julie Constan. “The second round of rain damaged additional sections of road, but we are hopeful the pass will open to motorists, with some safety restrictions, by the end of the week.”
Lew noted CDOT is working to finalize damage estimates, but that it had submitted a request to the Federal Highway Administration for $65 million in funds — including $6.5 million in quick-release funds for repairs before winter — following the first flood and was granted the $6.5 million.
She also noted the Colorado Transportation Commission authorized using its contingency funds to help start repairs.
Lew noted some of the estimates require design decisions to be made, explaining the need to get the plans right in order to build back stronger than before.
As of Nov. 10, three sections of highway remained fully closed: U.S. 160 over Wolf Creek Pass, U.S. 160 at the Piedra River bridge and Colo. 151 south of Chimney Rock Monument.
U.S. 160 Wolf Creek Pass
According to CDOT, “The second storm system on Nov. 1 caused significant destruction at several new locations along the 26-mile mountain corridor between Pagosa Springs and South Fork.”
It adds, “On the east side of the pass, through The Narrows, crews have been reconstructing new segments of road where washouts and undercutting occurred along the river banks. West of the summit, extensive mud and rockslide clearing operations are taking place. Additional work to stabilize highway shoulders, mitigate rockfall and install protective barriers will need to be completed in order to make this roadway safe for the traveling public. US 160 Wolf Creek Pass is anticipated to open within a week, weather dependent. Motorists can expect one-lane alternating traffic through multiple work zones.”
Constan explained some of the slides on the pass were 200 feet in length and, in areas, guard rails were “hanging in thin air.”
She added it’s been a “huge effort.”
Colo. 151
CDOT notes floodwaters completely washed out two segments of road south of Chimney Rock National Monument, which damaged drainage infrastructure along a 3-mile stretch of highway (mile points 27 to 30).
“Work to restore this bypass is critical to gain access between Pagosa Springs and Durango and is anticipated to be completed before Thanksgiving, likely with speed reductions and flaggers at ongoing work zones,” the press release states. “Reopening this work zone will eliminate the need for a detour through New Mexico, cutting the 3.5 hour drive down to approximately 1.5 hours between Durango and Pagosa Springs.”
Constan also noted the progress made on the highway this week, with south-end access for local residents who had been stranded since the first flood in October completed on Nov. 8.
“We’ve had some success there,” she said.
U.S. 160 at the Piedra River bridge
“Critical access between the communities of Pagosa Springs and Durango has been severed since Oct. 31 when flood waters collapsed the piers of the Piedra River Bridge (Mile Point 121),” the press release states.
CDOT explained the structure requires a complete rebuild and the embankment has to be built up after a lot was lost during the flooding.
“A contractor has begun work to prep the site, remove the remaining sections of the old bridge and begin construction of a temporary bridge on a temporary alignment before winter,” the press release explains. “After a temporary bridge is in place, work to reconstruct a permanent structure will be completed.”
The temporary bridge is anticipated to be in place by sometime in January 2027, Lew explained, adding they are working to shave time off that estimate.
The agency noted the permanent bridge is to be rebuilt in 2027.
U.S. 160 at Sheep Springs
Currently open to one-lane alternating traffic, Constan explained that U.S. 160 at Sheep Springs west of Pagosa Springs sustained embankment damage, undercutting of the highway and the eastbound travel lane washed away.
She noted repairs are progressing, including embankment stabilization, subgrade rebuilding and repaving of the highway.
Other damage
Constan noted there are several areas where portions of highway were lost, including U.S. 84, where stabilization is underway.
She noted the plan is to have one lane in each direction on U.S. 84 by winter.
She added the Jackson Mountain Slip east of Pagosa Springs saw “significant movement.”
Other areas that sustained damage include Yellow Jack Pass east of Bayfield, Devil’s and Martinez creeks west of Pagosa Springs and the San Juan River Village area east of Pagosa Springs.
Constan explained that she had seen photos of and hear of the floods of 1911, but never thought she would see anything like that in her lifetime.
“But we did,” she said, adding it’s been hard to watch the devastation, but it’s been “cool” to be part of the recovery.
CDOT recommends using COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner App when planning travel routes within the state. Up-to-date highway impacts, detours and closures are most accurate on COtrip. Impacts may change daily and are reflected on COtrip ahead of other mapping sites.
Archuleta County
During a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Nov. 10, Public Works Director Mike Torres provided an update on multiple roads damaged by the recent flooding events.
“What we’re focused on right now is the quick, simple fixes,” Torres said, explaining that the priority is being placed on fixes that allow residents access to their homes and to the grocery store.
He explained that initially after the flooding events the county had 150 miles of impassable roads, but that it is now down to an estimated 50 miles of impassable roadways.
“Of course, a lot of that is going to be County Road 500,” he said, noting that some areas on County Road 917 are still impassable due to crews not being able to access the road with Colo. 151 being shutdown.
Torres noted that county crews are working on county roads 339, 335 and 700, and that county roads 326 and 359 have been opened.
“We did lose a bridge down County Road 700,” Torres said, explaining that there is also a “big erosion spot” near mile marker 12 that crews are trying to address.
“We have so much damage throughout the entire county,” he said.
He explained that he has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to gather all the necessary information and documentation of damage needed for federal assistance.
Torres commented that the Town of Pagosa Springs, Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Jicarilla Apache Tribe have been great partners to work with in assisting each other in responding to the disaster.
“Pretty awesome to see our community come together and help each other out,” Torres said.
He also explained that with the county not having received any federal assistance funds yet, the current approach within the Public Works Department is treating matters as if no federal funds will be received by the county.
Torres commented that the county has a limited number of staff to operate equipment and is unable to get every issue addressed immediately, “but we’re trying.”
Torres asked for patience from the community as the county is looking at all possibilities to help restore access to homes and critical services.
He added that it won’t happen overnight, and that “this event was massive.”
Commissioner John Ranson explained that the BoCC was able to put a “significant amount into reserves” this past year, and may hold a special meeting “to discuss moving $1 million from reserves into the Road and Bridge fund.”
As of press time Wednesday, no special meeting had been scheduled, with the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 1:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room at 398 Lewis St.
“It’s what reserves are for,” Ranson said, adding that he is confident that the county will receive assistance from FEMA. “I feel like we’re gonna get some help.”
Torres stressed that some roads have taken priority over others as the focus is on restoring access to homes and essential services.
“We’re all doing what we can at this point,” he said.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented that a “tremendous” amount of work has been put in by county staff and other agencies in responding to the disaster.
Torres explained that there are still some residents along County Road 500 who do not have power.
He also noted that past mile marker 12 on County Road 500, “the road is now the river.”
Torres explained that crews are still working to clear power lines and restore access to the area.
“It may take some time,” he said.
Torres commented on residents who are offering to help the county clear roads and debris, saying, “We don’t have the funds to pay for that right now.”
He explained that the concern is that allowing people to assist the county with their own equipment right now may cause more of an issue later on.
“Let Road and Bridge handle this,” he said.
Commissioner Veronica Medina asked about other roads, like Carrico Street, Rainbow Drive and Alamosa Place, noting those are not main roads, but inquired as to what residents should expect as far as work being done.
“The way we’re treating this is, if you can get to and from your house, then we’re probably gonna push you off,” Torres said, referencing residents who are unable to reach their homes due to a washout on North Pagosa Boulevard.
“Things like that are gonna take priority,” he added.
Ranson commented that the county is going to need some private help in rebuilding, and it could do so while also keeping it “under control.”
He stressed that the county has to be responsible with spending funds to rebuild county infrastructure.
“I think it’s important that we start bringing in some private help; we can’t handle it,” Ranson said.
Medina also commented that any time the county is spending taxpayer dollars, “we should keep it local.”
In response to a question from Medina, County Attorney Cathleen Giovaninni explained that the county is able to do sole-source contracts in the case of an emergency.
“We’re not gonna wait for the government,” Ranson said, emphasizing that the county is in an emergency situation. “It is an emergency, and people need to understand that.”
“I agree, and we’re doing everything we can right now,” Torres said.
Brown mentioned that there may be some obstacle in having private citizens assisting the county in rebuilding efforts, but explained that “there’s nothing against one neighbor helping out another neighbor.”
Town of Pagosa Springs
The town also continues to have road closures due to flooding, including Hermosa Street, San Juan Street, North 5th Street and South 6th Street.
An Oct. 27 update from the town indicates North 5th Street and South 6th Street will remain closed for the “foreseeable future.”
The update adds, “Detours are available, and motorists should continue following posted signage and using caution near affected areas.”
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