Traffic will be decreased to one lane in each direction for the remainder of the year on the High Bridge on South Camino del Rio, just north of the Walmart in Durango.
Drivers will experience single-lane traffic restrictions at the bridge, which will help with construction efforts and keep crews and drivers safe, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Construction crews began setup last week and soon realized that a one-lane restriction in both directions would provide a safer environment for drivers and workers, said CDOT Resident Engineer Jason Fullerton.
The new configuration creates a safety buffer for the workers, he said. The extra room allows for more efficient work during all phases of the project, Fullerton said.
As traffic narrows to one lane at the bridge, CDOT asks drivers to use both lanes up until the merge point. The traffic pattern, known as a “zipper or late merge,” allows smoother, more efficient merging and less stop-and-go traffic.
“We know it’s a bit counter to what we are accustomed to as drivers, but we urge keeping both lanes of traffic moving all the way up to where the single lane begins. Nobody is taking cuts – be patient and take turns merging,” Fullerton said.
Lanes will be narrowed to a 10-foot width restriction. Drivers are required to reduce their speed to 40 mph. Travelers should follow all signage, traffic restrictions and flagging personnel.
There will be no acceleration lane for vehicles turning right from Colorado Highway 3 north onto South Camino del Rio (U.S. Highway 550/160). Vehicles turning right must use the traffic light signal at the intersection. To avoid the bridge, travelers may consider using Highway 3 as an alternate route.
The bridge rehabilitation project will consist of removing and replacing existing asphalt and deck concrete, installing waterproofing membrane and removing and replacing bridge expansion devices.
“This project not only will create better and safer driving conditions for travelers, it also will help to extend the lifespan of the bridge,” CDOT spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes said previously.
CDOT also advises drivers to be aware of an additional nighttime striping project that is happening on South Camino del Rio from the DoubleTree intersection to north of the bridge project. Paint crews will be working at night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sundays through Fridays until mid-October.
For more information, call 840-8517, email R5BridgeRehab@yahoo.com or visit bit.ly/2p5jeur.
