Virtual Public Meeting for CDOT's Hwy 285 Projects in Bailey

US 285 Safety Improvements Project Update
November 2020
Safety Improvements to US 285 near the town of Bailey will be moving forward in 2021 to address traffic congestion and crashes due to the increase in motorists that travel the corridor. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and project team worked closely with local government officials and held public input meetings. Based on input and feedback, various alternatives were analyzed. After careful consideration CDOT will progress with the following additions to the project:

• An acceleration lane at CR 64 in Bailey (near the lumber yard and post office)
• CDOT donating way finding signs for county roads

The US 285 Safety Improvements Project is intended to make the route safer for the traveling public, reduce risk for local residents, improve flow through the area, and reduce crashes.

Project Location / Focus

• Section A: Northbound US 285 through the Town of Bailey
• Section B: Northbound/southbound US 285 between the interchange at County Road 72 and Rosalie Road, approximately one mile
• Safer and more efficient routes as a result of the removal of the traffic signal at US 285 and CR 43A

Project Benefits

• Safety
• Decreasing possible crash locations at the intersection of US 285 and CR 43A
• Free right turns at CR 43A allows for improved traffic flow
• Increase acceleration lane length to design standard at the interchange of US 285 and CR 72
• Reduce crossover crashes by installation of median barrier
• Reduce the potential for rear end crashes by the removal of the traffic signal at CR 43A
• Decrease travel speed through Bailey
• Provide deceleration lanes in Bailey
• Access
• Provides safer access points to businesses in Bailey
• Travel Times
• Removal of the traffic signal at CR 43A allows traffic on US 285 to flow through the area removing the traffic backups currently occurring

Project Schedule

• Contractor Hired – Winter 2021
• Construction Start – Spring 2021
• Construction Completion – Fall 2021
• All work will be completed in one construction season.

Stay Connected
Stay up to date on this project:
Project email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Project web page: www.codot.gov/projects/us285-improvements

This was the official press release from October 21

NEWS FROM:


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

Michelle Peulen, Region 2 CDOT Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

October 21, 2020

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT

Culvert repair project to begin in Park and Huerfano Counties on October 25

HUERFANO & PARK COUNTIES — The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin phase 2 of the regionwide culvert repair project in southeast Colorado. Work will take place in Huerfano and Park Counties on CO 9 at MP 69.9, US 285 at MP 220.9 and 222.2, and on US 160 at MP 279.3. Frontier Environmental Services has been awarded the job, with work expected to start on Sunday, October 25 at the US 285 location and continue through the fall.

This project consists of cleaning culverts and repairing culverts. Repairing cracks in the headwall, constructing new headwalls, and repairing joints. The contractor will restore any disturbed areas. In some locations, work will require night activity and one lane traffic on US 285. Other locations will experience shoulder closures with minimal impact to traffic.

Work will take place at three locations:

• US 285 at MP 220.9 and MP 222.2, beginning Oct. 25; working Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
• CO 9 at MP 69.9, beginning Nov. 9; working Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• US 160 at MP 279.3, beginning Nov. 12; working Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As a part of CDOT’s Whole System. Whole Safety. program, the project will enhance safety for the traveling public by replacing and repairing existing culverts for safer travel for motorists.

HIGHWAY TRAVEL IMPACTS

Beginning Sunday, October 25, motorists will encounter work on US 285 at MP 220.9 and MP 222.2. Work will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Beginning Monday, November 9, motorists will encounter work on CO 9 at MP 69.9. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Beginning Thursday, November 12, motorists will encounter work on US 160 at MP 279.3. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers will experience shoulder closures, single-lane closures and night time lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Lane closures will be directed by flaggers. The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph within the work zones and will be strictly enforced. Traffic fines will be doubled in the work zones. Motorists should slow down, drive with caution and give themselves extra travel time.

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

PROJECT & TRAVEL INFORMATION For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 719-301-0059
• Email the project team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/secolorado-culvertrepairs

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:

Road conditions and travel information: www.COtrip.org

Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts

See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html

Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot

COVID-19 Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, road maintenance and construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service. Gov. Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.

# # #

US 285 Safety Improvements Project Update
November 2020

Safety Improvements to US 285 near the town of Bailey will be moving forward in 2021 to address traffic congestion and crashes due to the increase in motorists that travel the corridor. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and project team worked closely with local government officials and held public input meetings. Based on input and feedback, various alternatives were analyzed. After careful consideration CDOT will progress with the following additions to the project:

An acceleration lane at CR 64 in Bailey (near the lumber yard and post office)
CDOT donating way finding signs for county roads

CLICK HERE for recorded Public Meeting Presentation – July 9, 2020

The US 285 Safety Improvements Project is intended to make the route safer for the traveling public, reduce risk for local residents, improve flow through the area, and reduce crashes.

Project Location / Focus

Section A: Northbound US 285 through the Town of Bailey
Section B: Northbound/southbound US 285 between the interchange at County Road 72 and Rosalie Road, approximately one mile
Safer and more efficient routes as a result of the removal of the traffic signal at US 285 and CR 43A

Project Benefits

Safety
Decreasing possible crash locations at the intersection of US 285 and CR 43A
Free right turns at CR 43A allows for improved traffic flow
Increase acceleration lane length to design standard at the interchange of US 285 and CR 72
Reduce crossover crashes by installation of median barrier
Reduce the potential for rear end crashes by the removal of the traffic signal at CR 43A
Decrease travel speed through Bailey
Provide deceleration lanes in Bailey
Access
Provides safer access points to businesses in Bailey
Travel Times
Removal of the traffic signal at CR 43A allows traffic on US 285 to flow through the area removing the traffic backups currently occurring

Project Schedule

Contractor Hired – Winter 2021
Construction Start – Spring 2021
Construction Completion – Fall 2021
All work will be completed in one construction season.

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on this project:
Project email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Project web page: www.codot.gov/projects/us285-improvements

Traffic light still drawing protests
Jan. 23 meeting to discuss prompting reversal of CDOT’s plan to remove traffic light
By Kelly R. Kirkpatrick Editor Dec 17, 2020

The Colorado Department of Transportation publicly announced its plans to remove the traffic signal at U.S. Highway 285 and Park County Road 43A in a press release dated Nov. 9.

Despite that announcement, and since its release, Bailey-area residents have seemingly grown more determined than ever in their opposition to the project, specifically the removal of the traffic light at U.S. Highway 285 and Park CR 43A.

The SAFE 285 Committee will be holding a town hall-style meeting Jan. 23 in which a variety of local leaders are expected to attend. Local school district officials, fire department officials, CDOT representatives, Park County Commissioners, state representatives, media members and local residents will be invited.

The meeting is set for 1 p.m. in the Canyon Room at Platte Canyon High School.

Safe285 has scheduled a virtual Community Town Hall meeting for January 23 at 1pm and is inviting any who wish to attend. Scan the QR Code or enter the url on the flyer below to participate.

For those of you have not had the opportunity, you can get a detailed report published by the Chamber of Commerce at this link.
drive.google.com/file/d/1LdJzbp6pXczQtCh8sl30sFevWFiXZfaO/view

From SAFE 285:
**Update** - SAFE 285 has been working diligently with Platte Canyon School District to ensure ALL state/county health department regulations are upheld. As such, there will be an In-Person portion of the meeting held in the Canyon Room at Platte Canyon High School, limited to the first 35 participants (with up to 15 volunteers not to exceed the 50 person max), social distancing and mask wearing required. The zoom portion has been upgraded to allow 500 participants, however, you must register before the meeting to obtain the Zoom conferencing information. Register in advance for this meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYof-G...v4tLtMqmEG-ru4fuiR8-

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.