County Road 1 Escarpment Work Starts Monday 7/23

Work Starts on South County Road 1, Expect 30 Minute Delays Between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm -- revised construction schedule: Just received this revised information about traffic control today, Thursday, August 9 -- The County Road 1 Escarpment Repair Project has been progressing ahead of schedule. Additionally, although traffic control delays can be up to 30 minutes, the contractor has had few delays of that extent with most being 10 minutes or less. The latest estimated schedule is as follows: Friday August 10                          Expect 2 separate one-way traffic zones. Delays will be 10-30 minutes; During 30 minute delays, traffic will be allowed through on the half hour (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, etc.) Mon. Aug. 13 - Tues. Aug. 14      Expect 2 separate one-way traffic zones. Delays will be 15-30 minutes; During 30 minute delays, traffic will be allowed through on the half hour (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, etc.) Wed. Aug 15 – Friday Aug. 17    Expect short delays of 5-15 minutes. If longer delays are necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, traffic will be allowed through on the half hour (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, etc.) Mon. August 20 – Thurs. Aug. 24 Delays will be 15-30 minutes; During 30 minute delays, traffic will be allowed through on the half hour (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, etc.) Please be aware that the above estimated schedule may vary due to weather conditions, and other circumstances outside the contractor’s control. Please drive carefully and obey all posted speed limits and cautionary signs. At times there may be severe bumps and asphalt drop-offs. _________________________________________________________________________________ Schedule updated Monday, July 23 --  Mon 7/23-Tues 7/24:  Mobilize equipment, layout materials, saw asphalt Wed 7/25 - Fri 8/17: Install culverts, repair drainages, replace asphalt on cuts Wed 8/15-Fri 8/31: Patch and crack seal asphalt Mon 9/3-Mon 9/10:  Chip seal    Diagram by Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett showing the approximately 2.17-mile section of the County Road 1 to receive repairs.

The Ouray County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) placed repairs to culverts and slumping "soft spots" on the south side of County Road 1, known as the "Escarpment" section on our priority list.  In 2011 we worked on the dangerous and expensive potholes on the north side of CR1.  In 2012 we scoped work on the potholes and slumps of the escarpment area on the south side of CR1.  The issues on CR1 are due to substandard or failing base material that is exacerbated by moisture penetrating the road base and causing cave-ins and other issues. County Road & Bridge Department worked with County Engineer Bill "Frowny" Frownfelter of Russell Engineering to develop a work plan that includes replacement of 6 culverts and 9 soft spots in early 2012.  The entire 2.17 miles will be chip sealed and crack sealed.  (Detailed drawings on aerial photos can be downloaded HERE.) In order to get the original bid cost of traffic control down lowered by $44,000, the county took on the task of contracting for traffic control separately rather than to include traffic control costs in the road work bid award.  To keep these costs down as low as possible and to accomplish the work as quickly as possible, including giving the best odds of finishing as soon as possible, hopefully prior to the first day of school on August 27, the BOCC agreed to having both lanes of the road closed.  One lane will open for traffic at 30 minute intervals, anticipated to be at the top and bottom of each hour, throughout the 10 hour work day.  Two lanes will be open during non-work hours, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 am.  Emergency vehicles will be able to get through the work area at all times.  This arrangement will cut the need to 2 additional traffic controllers. Mobile signs warning of work and traffic disruptions have been placed on the south and north ends of County Road 1 as well as near the project area. Funds for this project would come from those already budgeted for the project from the Log Hill Bond and Interest Fund and from the Road and Bridge Paving Maintenance Reserve and Sales Tax funds. E.C.O.'s contract totals $362,332.12.  The contract for traffic control is for up to $24,335, from Sir StripeALot.  The actual cost for traffic control will be for time and materials.