US Highway 550 between Durango and Silverton will be closed in both directions from August 25 to August 28, each day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The closure will affect Mile Points 56 to 63 on Coal Bank Pass. Northbound traffic will be stopped just north of the Coal Bank Pass overlook and Pass Creek trailhead at Mile Point 56.6, while southbound vehicles will be halted at Andrews Lake Road at Mile Point 63.
The scheduled four-hour closures are intended to allow crews to install a new culvert under the roadway near the summit of Coal Bank Pass. CDOT stated that access to the Pass Creek/Engineer Mountain trailhead parking area, as well as the Coal Bank Pass overlook and restrooms, will remain open during this period.
Motorists are advised to plan their travel around these closure times or consider using Colorado Highway 145 through Telluride as an alternate route. CDOT also noted that travelers should expect full stops and delays of up to 20 minutes at two traffic signal locations between Mile Point 56 and MP 60 for the duration of the project.
Since work began on May 12 for the US 550 Rockfall Mitigation and Wall Replacement project, crews have performed slope excavation, rock removal, and transported excavated material to a stockpile location near Andrews Lake at MP 62.7.
Work stabilizing and reinforcing the sub-grade beneath the roadway at Coal Bank (Mile Point 56.9), located just north of Engineer Mountain Trailhead, has been completed. Crews are now focused on installing a culvert and building a new retaining wall structure underneath US Highway 550.
“Scaling is the removal of loose and unstable rocks from slopes, cliffs and steep terrain,” CDOT explained in reference to recent rope scaling work performed by crews at Deer Creek (MP 59.3).
For more information about this project, individuals can call the project information line at 970-718-5148 or email [email protected]. Updates are also available on CDOT’s website: codot.gov/projects/us550wallreplacement
