We Just moved to Bailey area and I have a question about westbound 285 from the Richmond Hill Road bridge to Shaffer's Crossing. The speed limit signs all read 55 MPH, yet most vehicles drive it at 45 MPH (in good weather/daytime). Has the speed limit been upgraded recently and no one noticed?
It has been 55 mph thru there since at least 1999 except when there was road work. Not sure when you are driving, but I find most people do more than 55. It may be a truck up ahead that is slowing the traffic. Or someone who is afraid of driving downhill.
Welcome to the neighborhood and the site MikeHighsmith! I too have noticed that many people travel that stretch slower and I think it's as pacamom said, they get scared about going downhill and go slower than the speed limit (just wait til you try driving home on roads like today, and it's a crawl).
There have also been several accidents at the curve at Shaffer's Crossing because of people crossing into the northbound lanes to exit (yes, it's northbound and southbound, CO is messed up. I moved here from the midwest and even our circular highways would change name when the direction of the road mostly went from north/south to east/west, but not here, it's frustrating. Just FYI, 285 is called southbound traveling from Denver to Bailey and northbound the other way). Because of the possibility of people crossing the highway and hitting head-on, many regular commuters take precaution and slow down pre-emptively.
Hope this helps. How are you liking Bailey so far? Did you know the town has it's Cowboy Christmas this coming Sunday?
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Thanks for the welcome, Science Chick! I am enjoying the area very much (except for the slow drivers). I don't have to worry about driving home tonight, as I am up in Keystone teaching for the next few days and won't be home until the Cowboy Christmas is over. It sounds like fun.
I had forgotten about the north/south thing on 285. Thanks for the reminder! I still can't fathom how the crossing over into the oncoming lane could happen.
It has been 55 mph thru there since at least 1999 except when there was road work. Not sure when you are driving, but I find most people do more than 55. It may be a truck up ahead that is slowing the traffic. Or someone who is afraid of driving downhill.
I think it might be the scared thing. I need to find out when the more than 55 thing happens. When I'm stuck behind these slow movers, it's dry and daylight with no semis most of the time.
I'm a lead-foot as well lol but I have found that of all the highways, 285 is actually the best when it comes to commuting. I-70 has a ton more truckers and people passing through the state so more volume to slow it down. Once you get in the city, C470 is a nightmare in spots and I-25 all the way through downtown. Plus we have the prettiest scenery!
I don't get it either how people miss the double yellow line, or the multiple signs either announcing stay to the right and exit to the right. Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often because when it does, it's pretty bad. CDOT is still looking into other options to make that spot safer.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
I do enjoy the scenery, but the lack of passing areas make it difficult. When I have to travel I-70, I try to do it early or late enough to avoid the people that can't seem to grasp the concepts of mountain and adverse weather conditions.
That's true, I-70 at least has 2 lanes all the way so eventually you can get around slower vehicles. At least they've been widening 285 and making it safer over the last several years, I hear it was really bad when it was mostly one lane (before my time, I moved to CO in 2001).
Where are you from, if I may ask? You sound like you drive for a profession, or are from the north and used to snowy roads.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
It has been 55 mph thru there since at least 1999 except when there was road work. Not sure when you are driving, but I find most people do more than 55. It may be a truck up ahead that is slowing the traffic. Or someone who is afraid of driving downhill.
I think it might be the scared thing. I need to find out when the more than 55 thing happens. When I'm stuck behind these slow movers, it's dry and daylight with no semis most of the time.
Follow me. LOL
And yes way better than 2 lanes. Try to imagine Windy Point as two lanes hugging the contour of the land. Not the nice straight filled in part by Double Header Ranch Rd. (Yes that is all completely filled in.)
The whole 285 highway is dangerous - You just have to be careful
Why is everyone in such a hurry take a look around and enjoy what you see.
If people want to drive slow down the hill let them at the bottom you can go around them why stress yourself.
Not to be mean but I find that those that come from other places are usually the first to complain about the driving here.
I use to have to travel a lot and all I can say is get me back home to Colorado and better than that back to the mountains where most traffic jams are caused by elk.
