U.S. 160 reconstruction information

Posted

Week of Dec. 8-13

Traffic shift

• U.S. 160: The project team successfully completed the shift of the lanes of traffic from the south side of U.S. 160 to the north side from 4th Street to 1st Street. There will continue to be no parking on U.S. 160. From 4th Street west, traffic will stay in the current configuration.

• The 4th Street/Hot Springs Boulevard intersection is fully open.

• Changes in pedestrian crossings: With the new traffic shift there will be several locations that will no longer have pedestrian barriers where the sidewalks, curb and gutter have been completed. Please pay attention when traversing the roadway and use identified crossings. 

Snow removal plan

A coordinated snow removal team has been assembled to support the U.S. 160 reconstruction project and help keep downtown Pagosa Springs safe and accessible throughout the winter. This team includes Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance personnel, the WW Clyde construction team and Town of Pagosa Springs Public Works staff.

How the snow removal team will work

The team has developed a unified plan to quickly respond to major snowstorms. The shared goals are to:

• Keep U.S. 160 through downtown clear and passable.

• Support emergency access routes.

• Maintain access to schools, businesses and essential services.

CDOT snow removal duties

• CDOT will maintain the U.S. 160 main business corridor. 

• CDOT will provide an additional snowplow dedicated to supporting operations in the downtown corridor. 

• To allow for safe and efficient snow clearing in this new configuration: 

On-street parking will be unavailable between 1st Street and 10th Street due to space constraints and snow removal operations. 

Snow will be pushed to the center median, next to the concrete barrier, until crews can haul it away.

Town of Pagosa Springs snow removal duties

• The town will plow town streets. 

• The town will prioritize school bus routes during snow events. 

• After prioritizing school bus routes, the Town of Pagosa Springs has agreed to prioritize the alleyways behind main street (100-400 blocks) to help businesses maintain rear access for needs such as ski rentals, prescription pickups, bakery access, deliveries and similar services.

• The town will be responsible for hauling away snow piles. 

Business owner responsibilities

We kindly remind downtown business owners that they are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their buildings.

Do not shovel or push snow into the roadway. This creates safety hazards and disrupts the coordinated snow removal efforts. Colorado law (Colorado Statute 43-5-310) and local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing or shoveling of snow onto public roadways.

Stay informed and connect with the project

• Call the project information line: (970) 335-9230. 

• Email the project team: Pagosa160reconstruction@gmail.com.

• Visit the project website: www.codot.gov/projects/us160pagosasprings.

• Subscribe to project updates: subscription.cotrip.org.