***SOUTHWEST TRAVEL ALERT***
Two highway closures in place for Southwest Colorado
CO 145 closed indefinitely due to rockfall and US 550 closed on Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a bike event
SOUTHWEST COLORADO – The Colorado Department of Transportation advises travelers that they will encounter two highway closures in southwest Colorado this weekend.
CO 145 ROCK FALL BETWEEN CORTEZ AND TELLURIDE
CO Highway 145 is closed indefinitely due to a significant rock fall which occurred late Friday afternoon. The slide is located approximately 12 miles north of Dolores, MP 22. The slide consisting of dirt, rock and two huge boulders which have destroyed the full width of the highway pavement, leaving a trench approximately eight feet deep across both lanes. The road is impassable at this time.
A geotechnical team, equipment, and supplies are being mobilized to the site, but it is not known when the road can be reopened. A boulder, the size of a building, which remains embedded on the highway needs to be blasted into smaller pieces in order to move it off the roadway.
Additional photos can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mW1yVPcvq3WI31YkDu-cfwZh8LNcanZv?usp=sharing
US 550 BIKE EVENT CLOSURE
Meanwhile, US Highway 550 north of Durango will also be closed for five hours tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 25, during the 48th Annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Motorists are urged to leave Durango early if traveling to Silverton or points beyond, since US 550 will be closed between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Likewise, travelers heading south (out of Ouray, Ridgway or Montrose) on US 550 should be aware the highway will be closed at Silverton, also at 8:30 a.m.
ALTERNATE ROUTE
If travel is absolutely unavoidable, motorists may want to consider the alternate westerly route via Dove Creek, Slick Rock and Norwood. (see map) This suggested alternate route is expected to take just more than four hours of driving time.
- US 550 Montrose to Ridgway
- CO 62 Ridgway to Placerville
- CO 145 Placerville to Norwood/Naturita
- CO 141 Naturita to Dove Creek
- US 491 Dove Creek to Cortez
- US 160 Cortez to Durango
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:
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