Crews to begin second phase of safety improvements on Interstate 25 at Exit 14 in Trinidad

Travel Advisory

Las Animas County - The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contract partner, Concrete Works of Colorado, will begin the second phase of construction at Interstate 25 and Exit 14 in Trinidad on Monday, Aug. 17.

For the past several months, crews have been constructing a new I-25 southbound off-ramp designed to improve the ramp's alignment and replace the asphalt surface with concrete. The next phase will connect the new ramp to the existing I-25 roadway.

To complete the connection, crews will remove the remaining section of the existing off-ramp and excavate the area. Crews will then pour a concrete transition slab that will connect the new southbound off-ramp to the interstate.

To safely complete this work, the southbound I-25 off-ramp at Exit 14 will be closed for approximately three weeks. Motorists will need to take Exit 13 and then travel northbound on I-25 to access Commercial Street.

In addition to the new concrete ramp, crews have constructed curbs and gutters at Commercial Street and recently completed concrete slope walls along the Exit 14 southbound off-ramp.

The I-25 Exit 14 Improvement Project began last spring and is designed to improve safety by realigning the southbound off-ramp into a straighter configuration with better visibility. The previous ramp alignment included a sharp curve that made driving conditions less predictable.

In addition to enhancing safety, the realignment and smoother concrete surface promote more consistent travel speeds, reduce braking and acceleration, and help minimize stop-and-go congestion.

Traffic Impacts

Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, motorists will the closure of Exit 14 on southbound I-25. Traffic impacts will include:

• Shoulder closures
• Intermittent lane closures on Commercial Street
• Full closure of the southbound I-25 off-ramp at Exit 14
  • Use Exit 13 as a detour

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 970-880-4162
• Email the project team at: [email protected]
• Visit the project website at: codot.gov/projects/i25trinidadramp

Know Before You Go

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: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!