A full road closure will begin Sunday, Oct. 30 on Colorado Highway 184 about 1 mile east from the U.S. Highway 491 junction. The closure is expected to last through Sunday, Nov. 6.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Structures Inc. plan to work around the clock to remove an old bridge structure and set a new concrete box culvert.
Residents who live in the work zone will have access to their property, but through traffic on Colorado 184 should consider an alternate route south through Cortez. Traffic heading east on Colorado 184 from U.S. 491 can detour south to U.S. 160 in Cortez and head north on Colorado 145 toward Dolores. All through traffic heading west on Colorado 184 from Colorado 145 can detour south to U.S. 160 in Cortez and head north on U.S. 491 toward Lewis.
After the weeklong closure, motorists can expect brief delays with one-lane alternating traffic during working hours with both lanes open at night.
Residents are advised that during working hours and during the full road closure heavy equipment will be used with possible noise.
CDOT and Structure will remove the existing narrow and deteriorating timber bridge and replace the structure with a concrete box culvert, install new guardrail, and add a new approach to the structure.
CDOT crews also will be replacing a culvert at on Colorado 184 about a quarter mile east of U.S. 491. The maintenance operation is expected to last three days.