US Highway 550 between Durango and Silverton will be closed in both directions from August 25 to August 28, each day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The closure, which covers Mile Points 56 to 63 near Coal Bank Pass, is scheduled so crews can install a new culvert under the roadway close to the summit.
Northbound traffic will be stopped just north of the Coal Bank Pass overlook and Pass Creek trailhead at Mile Point 56.6. Southbound vehicles will be halted at Andrews Lake Road at Mile Point 63. Access to local amenities such as the Pass Creek/Engineer Mountain trailhead parking area, Coal Bank Pass overlook, and restrooms will remain available during these hours.
CDOT advises drivers to plan their trips around these closure times or use an alternate route via Colorado Highway 145 through Telluride. In addition to the full closures, motorists should expect periodic stops and delays of up to 20 minutes at two traffic signal locations between Mile Points 56 and 60 for the duration of the project.
Since May 12, CDOT crews have been working on rockfall mitigation and wall replacement along US 550. This work has included slope excavation, removal of rocks, and moving excavated material to a stockpile near Andrews Lake at Mile Point 62.7. Stabilization efforts beneath the roadway north of Engineer Mountain Trailhead have been completed. Current work focuses on installing a culvert and building a new retaining wall structure under the highway.
For more information about this project, residents can call the project information line at 970-718-5148 or visit codot.gov/projects/us550wallreplacement.
“Scaling is the removal of loose and unstable rocks from slopes, cliffs and steep terrain,” CDOT stated in relation to ongoing rope scaling work being performed on US 550 at Deer Creek (Mile Point 59.3).
