By Nancy Shanks
Special to The SUN
Work is underway to improve the intersection of U.S. 160 at Hurt Drive (MP 131.95) and Badger Road, located in the Aspen Springs subdivision area west of Pagosa Springs.
The intersection improvements include minor highway widening to accommodate: left-turn lanes off U.S. 160 onto both Hurt Drive (to the south) and Badger Road (north); right-turn deceleration lanes from U.S. 160 to both drives; and right-turn acceleration lanes from both drives onto U.S. 160. The work also includes resurfacing on U.S. 160 between mile posts 131 and 134.5 (for reference, the west edge of Pagosa is at MP 140); highway shoulder improvements; slope flattening to improve sight distance for motorists and cyclists; and a section of new guardrail.
The project, contracted to Skanska USA for $6 million, improves safety at this busy intersection and improves the condition of the highway surface, extending its life by up to 20 years.
Motorists will encounter single-lane, alternating traffic and some travel delays on both U.S. 160 and the drives, Monday through Friday, during daylight hours. Some nighttime work is possible, and will be announced if/when that takes place. Crews will suspend work for the winter, likely in November, and the project will resume in March with a completion date of late September 2014.
The public can call 731-2918 with questions or comments about the work.
