CO 145 paving operations continue Sept 2 to 4 near Mountain Village

CO 145 paving operations continue Sept 2 to 4 near Mountain Village Aug. 28, 2025 - Southwestern Colorado - Plan for lengthy delays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. https://www.codot.gov/news/2025/august/co145-paving-continue-sept2 https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png

Travel Advisory

Aug. 28, 2025 - Southwestern Colorado - Plan for lengthy delays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

CDOT Photo | Crews performed paving operations on CO 145 Lawson Hill, south of Telluride, Aug. 18 to 21. With less precipitation expected, paving operations will pick up again after Labor Day.

San Miguel County - Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Colorado Department of Transportation will perform three-day surface treatment operations on Colorado Highway 145 from Wagner Way (Mile Point 69.5) continuing north of Mountain Village Boulevard (MP 70). The paving operations will take place Tuesday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists will encounter full stops, alternating traffic, and 15 to 30 delays while crews pave an approximately half a mile of CO 145 along Lawson Hill. Paving operations are weather dependent.

Last week's scheduled paving operations were cancelled due to inclement weather conditions.

Traffic Impacts: Sept. 2 to 4

Tuesday through Thursday daytime work hours range from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic impacts on CO 145 Lawson Hill include:

• Motorists should plan for 15 to 30 minute delays and should allow for extra travel time
• Expect full stops and alternating traffic guided by flagging personnel
• Watch for flaggers and signage signaling lane shifts and lane closures
• A speed reduction of 40 MPH will be enforced through the work zone

CO 145 Stoner Mesa Wildfire Activity

The Stoner Mesa Wildfire is still active and burning west of CO 145 between Rico and Dolores. There continues to be a large presence of firefighters working on and near both CO 145 and Montezuma County Road 38, approximately 12 miles north of Dolores. Motorists are urged to slow down and remain alert in these areas for their safety and the safety of firefighters. For more information, visit the Stoner Mesa Fire Information Facebook page.

US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass Closures (Sept. 2 to 18)

Travelers will encounter lengthy road closures on US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass, Tuesdays through Thursdays, from Sept. 2 to 18, to allow for electrical power line work. San Miguel Power Association will require the five-hour full closures, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for the next three weeks in September. Work will take place on the north side of Red Mountain Pass from Ironton Park to just south of Ouray. The electrical power line work is weather-dependent. For additional information about the Red Mountain Electrical Reliability and Broadband Improvement Project visit their website: smpa.com/red-mountain-electrical-reliability-and-broadband-improvement-project

Colorado Department of Transportation Highway Travel Alert map of US 550 Closures and CO 145 maintenance operations taking place Sept. 2 to 4 along the San Juan Skyway loop between Durango, Silverton, Ridgway, Telluride and Dolores. Additionally, motorists are urged to slow down and stay alert for firefighters and heavy equipment on CO 145 between Rico and Dolores.

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!