Tuesday, January 24, 2017

CDOT: US 550 Passes to Remain Closed Overnight

NEWS FROM:
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Contact:  Lisa Schwantes, Region 5 Communications Manager
970.385.1428 office /970.749.2015 mobile


January 23, 2017
4:30 p.m.

**UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY**
US 550 Passes to Remain Closed Overnight

SW COLORADO – Heavy snowfall and high winds have caused the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to maintain the closure of US Highway (US) 550 Red Mountain Pass north of Durango until further notice. The closure includes all three mountain passes: Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank, from Cascade, just north of Purgatory Ski Resort, to the town of Ouray. The adverse weather and high avalanche danger have created unsafe driving conditions for the traveling public.

Crews will attempt avalanche control work and snow removal operations Tuesday morning if weather conditions and visibility allow.

STAY INFORMED: Road and weather conditions are available by dialing 511, 303-639-1111, or visiting www.COtrip.org. Also available on the COtrip site are:
·         Cameras
·         Travel Alerts 
·         Weather Stations
·         Snow Plow Tracker
·         Speed Map
·         Bustang
·         Express Lanes

To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. 
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Tuesday, January 10, 2017

CDOT: Avalanche Hazards and Mitigation Statewide


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www.codot.gov
www.facebook.com/coloradodot
  @coloradodot

January 10, 2017, 5:00 p.m.

CONTACT: Amy Ford, Director of Communications
Stacia Sellers, Region 1 Communications Specialist
Bob Wilson, Region 1 Communications Manager
Tracy Trulove, Region 3 Communications Manager
Lisa Schwantes, Region 5 Communications Manager


Avalanche Hazards and Mitigation Statewide

STATEWIDE- Due to heavy snow and high wind gusts, and in the interest of public safety, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has conducted both planned and unplanned avalanche mitigation work on several mountain passes across the state today and is listing other passes as avalanche hazards. Mitigation work is expected to continue through tomorrow as the next storm front moves into the state.

Southwest/South-Central Colorado
Outlook:
The next winter storm front will hit the southwest region of the state tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday) and will last through Friday. Adverse conditions are expected, especially in the high country. The anticipated storm has CDOT maintenance crews and CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) forecasters preparing for additional snowslide mitigation operations throughout the week and weekend.

Currently:
  • US 550 Molas and Coal Bank Passes: Molas and Coal Bank Passes are open with traction law (code 15) in effect for passenger vehicles and chain law (code 18) in effect for all commercial vehicles. Avalanche control work began at 7:00 a.m. and crews worked to clear snow and debris from the highway until 3:00 p.m. when the passes were opened. Yesterday a snow slide was triggered by a backcountry skier between these two passes. Snow, eight feet deep, covered 200 feet of the roadway. Molas and Coal Bank passes are located between the communities of Durango and Silverton.
  • US 550 Red Mountain Pass: Red Mountain Pass remains closed at this time. Avalanche control and snow clearing operations are taking place now through the remainder of the day. Operations are expected to continue through tomorrow (Wednesday.) The area has seen natural slides and very adverse weather conditions, making operations difficult for crews. There is no estimated time of opening. Red Mountain Pass is located between the communities of Silverton and Ouray.
  • CO 145 Lizard Head Pass: Lizard Head pass is currently open. Crews completed avalanche control work this morning at approx 11:30 a.m.This pass is located just south of Telluride.
  • US 50 Monarch Pass: Monarch Pass is open with traction law (code 15) in effect for passenger vehicles and chain law (code 18) in effect for all commercial vehicles. Crews completed avalanche control work on Monarch Pass at approx 10:30 this morning. However, the pass did not open until about 1:00 p.m. because of adverse road conditions and additional snow clearing operations. Monarch Pass is located west of Poncha Springs/Salida.
  • US 160 Wolf Creek Pass:  Wolf Creek Pass is open with chain law (code 18) in effect for all commercial vehicles. The pass will close tomorrow morning for avalanche control operations, Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The east side of the pass will remain open from South Fork to the Ski Area. Wolf Creek Pass is located east of Pagosa Springs.

I-70 Corridor: 
Natural avalanche slides have been reported along I-70.  

Berthoud Pass
Crews conducted avalanche mitigation early this morning, which caused a significant amount of snow to cover the roadway. While crews were working, several smaller natural slides occurred on Berthoud Pass, showing that the pass was unstable and could not be opened back up to motorists. Currently, avalanche mitigation is being conducted on the 80s on Berthoud Pass. The pass is anticipated to open tonight once it is deemed safe for motorists.  

Loveland Pass
Loveland Pass remains closed today, January 10, due to adverse weather conditions. Crews are planning on conducting avalanche mitigation work early tomorrow morning, weather dependent, and will then determine if the pass is safe to open.

I-70: Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnel to Silverthorne
At about, 10:30 a.m. crews conducted avalanche control work, just west of the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial tunnel. Crews mitigated the lower slides near the tunnel, which caused about eight to 10 feet of snow and debris to cover the east and westbound lanes of I-70.

Silverthorne to Vail Pass
Around 3:30 a.m. this morning, a natural slide occurred on Vail Pass trapping one semi-truck and effecting two others on the fringe of the slide. No injuries were reported. The slide measured about 15 feet in some sections and covered both the westbound and eastbound lanes.

Northwest Colorado
  • Avalanche control work was conducted on CO 65 Grand Mesa and saw significant runs on the slide paths at that location.  Crews are continuing clean up in the area.
  • CO 133 is now open but crews will be keeping an eye on the conditions through the night and mitigation could still be a possibility.

For pictures of January 10's avalanche control work statewide, visit: https://www.codot.gov/news/media-room.html
Our partners at Colorado State Patrol share the following tips to keep you safe:
  • If you are involved in a crash, stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt buckled, call 911 and wait for CSP, local law enforcement or Emergency Management professionals to arrive.
  • Many crashes could be avoided if motorists SLOW DOWN, use caution and drive for the conditions. Slowing down allows you the opportunity to react to changing conditions.  Always drive with your view to the front of the hood so you’re prepared to react as needed and leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
AVOID A FINE!  Both passenger and commercial motorists should be aware of the state of Colorado’s traction and chain laws which are implemented when conditions require it.  When either law is in effect, highway signage will be activated. Without proper equipment, motorists can be fined $130. If your vehicle blocks the roadway, you could be fined more than $650.
Passenger vehicles:
  • Traction Law (Code 15) — Motorists will need snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M/S) designation, or a four-wheel drive vehicle — all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.
  • Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) — Every vehicle on the roadway must have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).
Commercial vehicles:
Commercial Chain Law (Code 18) — All commercial vehicles must chain up. Code 18 may be implemented any time there is snow covering the pavement on an ascending grade and to minimize road closures.

CDOT is reminding motorists to consult the department’s traveler information tools:

  • Visit www.COTRIP.org to view road conditions, travel alerts and track our snow plows;
  • Call 511 anywhere in Colorado for periodically updated road conditions;
  • Sign up for GovDelivery alerts;
  • Follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter will not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).
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Monday, January 9, 2017

CDOT: **TRAVEL ADVISORY** US 550 North of Durango: CLOSED

NEWS FROM:
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twitter: @coloradodot
Contact:  Lisa Schwantes, Region 5 Communications Manager
970.385.1428 office /970.749.2015 mobile
January 9, 2017

**TRAVEL ADVISORY**
US 550 North of Durango: CLOSED

SW & S-CENTRAL COLORADO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed US Highway (US) 550 north of Durango including all three mountain passes Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain. The 42-mile closure begins just north of Purgatory Ski Resort and Cascade Creek at mile point (MP) 53 and continues to the Town of Ouray, MP 95. There is no estimated time of opening. Avalanche control operations will begin at daylight first thing tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Jan 10.

“This winter storm has brought heavy snowfall to the San Juan Mountain Range and the US 550 corridor,” said John Palmer, CDOT deputy superintendent of maintenance in Durango. “The significant amount of snow has resulted in high avalanche and snow slide danger. We have documented a natural slide just south of Red Mountain Pass summit, and are working on clearing snow from the road between Molas and Coal Bank Passes, where a backcountry skier triggered a slide.”

The natural slide on Red Mountain pass did not reach the road, but the skier triggered avalanche near Lime Creek covered a 200-foot length of highway with snow 8 feet deep. CDOT maintenance personnel reported that a skier was initially caught in the slide but was able to break free. No vehicles were involved in the slide.

CDOT maintenance crews also reported several vehicles sliding off the roadways of the mountain pass areas and similar incidents on slick roads at lower elevations throughout the region.

Palmer added, “Your best bet for driving in slick and icy conditions is to be patient and slow down! We also ask that motorists give plenty of room for our plows to do the job.”   

STAY INFORMED: Road and weather conditions are available by dialing 511, 303-639-1111, or visiting www.cotrip.org. Also available on the COtrip site are:


To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. 
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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

CDOT: **TRAVEL ALERT** Avalanche Control Operations Set for Mountain Passes across Southwest and South-central Colorado

NEWS FROM:
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twitter: @coloradodot
CONTACT:  Lisa Schwantes, Region 5 Communications Manager
970.385.1428 office /970.749.2015 mobile
January 04, 2017

**TRAVEL ALERT**
Avalanche Control Operations Set for
Mountain Passes across Southwest and South-central Colorado

SW & S-CENTRAL COLORADO – Motorists will experience delays while traveling over most southwest and south-central Colorado mountain passes tomorrow and Friday, Jan. 4 and 5. Because of the current snowstorm moving across the state, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will conduct avalanche control operations to trigger potential snow slides and then plows will clear the roadway.

US Highway 160, Wolf Creek Pass: Operations will take place tomorrow (Thursday) and the pass will be closed from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. Highway gates will be closed at the summit just west of the ski resort and just west of Treasure Falls.

US Highway 550, Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain Passes: Separate crews will work each of these three passes tomorrow (Thursday.) Operations will begin at 7:00 a.m. and motorists will experience intermittent delays until approximately 9:00 a.m.

CO Highway 145, Lizard Head Pass: Depending upon visibility and snow quantities, mitigation on Lizard Head Pass will take place either Thursday or Friday.

US Highway 50, Monarch Pass:  Crews have already conducted some mitigation today, Wednesday, Jan. 4. Additional operations will continue tomorrow (Thursday.) Crews are scheduled to work late morning and early afternoon.

CO Highway 17, Cumbres-La Manga Pass: Depending upon visibility and snow quantities, mitigation on Cumbres-La Manga Pass will take place either Thursday or Friday.

STAY INFORMED: Road and weather conditions are available by dialing 511, 303-639-1111, or visiting www.cotrip.org. Also available on the COtrip site are:


To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. 
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CDOT: Slow Moving Storm to impact Travel Statewide


NEWS FROM:
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www.codot.gov
www.facebook.com/coloradodot
Twitter: @coloradodot

CONTACT: Lisa Schwantes, Region 5 Communications Manager
C 970.749.2015 | lisa.schwantes@state.co.us
January 3, 2017

Slow Moving Storm to impact Travel Statewide

SW COLORADO — A slow-moving storm will impact travel statewide for much of the week. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is warning motorists that winter storm conditions have been forecast beginning this evening (Tuesday, Jan. 3) and will continue through Thursday (Jan. 5).

The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts heavy snow for the southwest and northern mountains. The possible accumulation of one to two feet of snow has also prompted the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) to caution high country motorists of likely snow slide mitigation along mountain pass corridors. The avalanche control work will cause travel delays while operations are taking place and plows then clear the roads.

“This will be a lengthy event, lasting more than two days for much of Colorado. Travelers will need to be prepared with adequate snow tires or other traction devices,” said Kyle Lester, CDOT Director of Highway Maintenance. “We also advise commercial vehicle drivers to be equipped with needed tire chains, especially in mountain areas.”

IMPACTS: Regionally throughout the state, motorists can expect the weather to impact travel.

Southwest (Region 5)
San Juan Mountains: One to two Feet of snow through Thursday night. Snow ending Friday evening. Avalanche control work and subsequent delays will be likely on most mountain passes.
La Garita Mountains: One and half feet of snow possible.
San Luis Valley: One to three inches of snow possible, with highest accumulations near the valley edges. On Wednesday motorists may see blowing snow and gusty winds of up to 30 MPH.  

AVOID A FINE!  Both passenger and commercial motorists should be aware of the state of Colorado’s traction and chain laws which are implemented when conditions require it.  When either law is in effect, highway signage will be activated. Without proper equipment, motorists can be fined $130. If your vehicle blocks the roadway, you could be fined more than $650.

Passenger vehicles:
Traction Law (Code 15) — Motorists will need snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M/S) designation, or a four-wheel drive vehicle — all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.
Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) — Every vehicle on the roadway must have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).
Commercial vehicles:
Commercial Chain Law (Code 18) — All commercial vehicles must chain up. Code 18 may be implemented any time there is snow covering the pavement on an ascending grade and to minimize road closures.

STAY INFORMED: Road and weather conditions are available by dialing 511, 303-639-1111, or visiting www.cotrip.org. Available on the COtrip site are:

Cameras
Travel Alerts
Snow Plow Tracker
Speed Map
Weather Stations
Bustang
Express Lanes

The traveling public may also visit the CDOT website at www.codot.gov; sign up for GovDelivery alerts; and follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter may not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).




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