The U.S. 160 reconstruction project is set to officially begin on Monday, March 17, “weather permitting,” according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
The press release indicates that work beginning in mid-March will include “removal of existing stripping, setting up concrete barriers on Main Street, then moving traffic onto the existing eastbound lanes (one lane each direction),” with two-way traffic continuing to be maintained.
Following the traffic shift, “crews will excavate the existing westbound roadway surface and remove sidewalks, curbs and gutters.”
The first phase of the project will begin work on utilities from 2nd Street to 8th Street.
“The utility work beginning in March will include replacement or enhancements to water lines, sanitation sewer lines, gas lines, geothermal lines, communications and electrical conduit, and storm drainage system,” the press release states.
CDOT notes that motorists should expect traffic delays through 2025 as work is done on the westbound lanes, with the process being reversed in 2026.
Periodic closures and stops should be expected, the press release adds.
Working hours are identified as Monday through Friday, including day and night shifts.
“Parking will not be permitted in the downtown work zone along U.S. 160,” the press release states.
The project will replace the current asphalt roadway with a new concrete road surface through the Pagosa Springs downtown business district, with anticipated completion in the fall of 2026.
The project scope and benefits, according to CDOT, include:
• Enhanced concrete road surface between North 8th Street and North 1st Street. Replacing asphalt with concrete will increase the lifespan and longevity of the roadway, requiring less frequent maintenance. Concrete is less susceptible to wear and tear under heavy traffic volumes. Concrete is less prone to weather damage.
• Pedestrian crosswalks with flashing signs installed near 3rd Street, 2nd Street and 6th Street.
• Improvements to sidewalk ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A partnership among CDOT, the Town of Pagosa Springs and local utility companies to upgrade and update utilities underneath the roadway.
• Increase motorist safety with textured, skid-resistance surface not prone to black ice and brighter at night.
Project public information managers Meredith Greene and Tracy Trulove gave a brief introduction on the project and provided details on upcoming information sessions during a joint work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and Pagosa Springs Town Council on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Greene explained that CDOT will be hosting an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 3, at the CSU Extension building located at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds at 344 U.S. 84.
She noted the open house will have posters and maps for the public to see planned working phases.
She also noted that the public will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the project team.
Greene mentioned the open house will provide more information on what the first two weeks of work will look like and what residents can expect.
Greene and Trulove added they’ve been dealing with the challenge of residents creating their own narrative about what’s happening, and encouraging folks to visit the official website and sign up for informational updates.
She noted there’s a “great deal of misinformation floating around” that she hopes to extinguish through informational meetings.
Greene acknowledged that the reconstruction project will have a lot of pains before any gain, but that it will ultimately “leave the community in a much better place.”
Greene helped work on the Glenwood Springs downtown reconstruction project a few years ago and noted that, although that project was bigger, the U.S. 160 reconstruction project poses more complexities.
“There’s a lot of complex construction moves in this project,” she said, noting how adjacent intersections can’t be worked on at the same time.
She further explained that once barriers are in place, crews will actually start ripping up asphalt and begin assessing utility situations.
“Pretty complex situation we’re looking at,” she added.
Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce asked how long crews are expecting to work in 2025, with Greene indicating that crews intend to work “as long as they can,” weather permitting.
Greene noted that there will be a break in work during the Fourth of July.
She also noted that safety for motorists, pedestrians and workers is the top priority.
“Safety is our No. 1 concern, period,” she said.
The Main Street Cone Zone Care Committee is also holding a meeting tonight, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at Motel SOCO and via Zoom for the purpose of sharing project information and updates.
Business grants
During the joint work session, County Manager Jack Harper, indicated that Archuleta County has earmarked $100,000 in its 2025 budget for the purpose of business grants.
“We were able to, though the budget process, earmark $100,000 for fiscal year ‘25 for the purposes of a grant,” he said.
Harper explained that the county has been working on a financial policy to govern the grants, noting the county would want to know what businesses intend to use the funds for.
Harper mentioned that the idea stemmed from a 2024 joint work session where Commissioner Warren Brown introduced the idea of the county having some way to support local business through the reconstruction project period.
“He’s kind of the father of it,” Harper said.
Harper noted that the county has worked in collaboration with Region 9 to use similar application formatting and processes, adding the hope is to roll out the program this year.
“We are, of course, concerned about our own budget,” Harper said, explaining that budgets for 2026 and 2027 may also be affected.
He noted that if all of the earmarked $100,000 is not used this year, whatever is left can be rolled over to the next budget, giving the county “a seed to which to start with.”
Town council member Leonard Martinez also introduced the idea of using a portion of those funds to have an “ambassador” program.
Martinez explained that it would be a resource to help local business by having workers on “the front line” act as a “conduit of information.”
Martinez added that the program would help push out positive messages around the reconstruction project while helping visitors and locals navigate through it.
The idea received support from multiple BoCC and council members.
MET task force
Main Street Coordinator Kathleen McFadden also provided an update on the work accomplished by the MET task force over the past year, which was mainly focused on efforts in finding alternative parking for the estimated 188 spaces that will be lost during the reconstruction project.
She indicated that the 188 spaces have been accounted for through alternative parking sites at the Ruby M. Sisson Library and The Springs Resort.
McFadden explained the task force has also taken on the task of developing a hard-copy informational map and developing a communication plan.
Commissioner Veronica Medina commented that the MET “has really accomplished their tasks” and that there has been consideration to “dissolve that” and allow other staff members, or the Main Street Advisory Board, to finish any remaining projects.
McFadden noted that beyond the work of finding alternative parking, “I feel like we’ve served our mission.”
Pierce added that “a big thank you to the MET task force is in order,” noting it did a “great job,” and that the ambassador program could be run under the Main Street Advisory Board.
“You guys went above and beyond,” Pierce said.
Brown also expressed praise for the work of the MET task force, noting it did an “incredible” job, as most of its members were volunteers with other jobs.
