CDOT Closes Four Major Routes in Southwest Colorado After Floods
Back-to-back storms have washed out bridges and eroded roadways, forcing a full detour around Pagosa Springs for non-residents.
By Diego Mendoza ·
The Colorado Department of Transportation is asking travelers to avoid downtown Pagosa Springs unless they are local residents or emergency responders. Several streets in the town of about 2,000 remain unpassable because floodwaters have not yet receded. The town suffered some of the worst impacts from recent back-to-back storms in the region. These events left many roads washed out and destroyed at least one bridge.
CDOT released a statement on Thursday saying the closures still affect main routes. The agency is working to keep U.S. 84 open south of Pagosa Springs. Road crews are currently repairing and stabilizing two stretches of that route. Drivers should expect to see workers on the roadways or temporary light signals directing traffic.
As of Thursday evening, four major highway closures remained in effect. Colorado 151 is closed in an active emergency reconstruction zone. Floods washed out another section of the highway on Sunday. That damage is located about 4 miles south of the junction with U.S. 160. Contractors are continuing to fix the additional damage.
U.S. 160 between Pagosa Springs and Durango requires maintenance or emergency repairs along a 30-mile stretch. The Piedra River Bridge, located about 18 miles west of Pagosa Springs, requires complete reconstruction. Flooding caused its support piers to collapse. Crews will install a temporary structure once site conditions improve.
Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. 160 is closed for 33 miles from east of Pagosa Springs to South Fork. Flooding, mud, and rock slides caused damage in at least four spots. High waters along the South Fork of the Rio Grande eroded the road shoulder and cut into travel lanes. A corridor about 6 miles west of South Fork through The Narrows was washed out.
Colorado 17 from Antonito to the New Mexico border is open to restricted access. Officials have not opened the road to through traffic yet. Crews are addressing repairs at Cumbres and La Manga passes. Vehicles cannot travel past the state line because of major damage to New Mexico 17.
Travelers going from Denver to Pagosa Springs should follow a detour that takes about 8 hours. Drivers must take Interstate 25 south into New Mexico to Raton. They then take U.S. 64 west to Tierra Amarilla. From there, U.S. 84/64 north leads to Chama and back into Pagosa Springs. Those needing to get from Pagosa Springs to Durango for essential travel can use a 2.5-hour detour. This route goes via U.S. 84 south to U.S. 64 west to Dulce, then U.S. 64 to Bloomfield, and U.S. 550 north to Durango.
Drivers from Denver to Durango face an 8-hour detour via Interstate 70 west to Grand Junction. They then take U.S. 50 south to Montrose and U.S. 550 south to Durango. CDOT urges freight drivers to use the westerly alternative on Colorado 145 through Telluride. Commercial drivers should use Interstate 70 to the north or Interstate 40 to the south for east-west travel. CDOT advises all drivers to monitor road conditions, slow down near work zones, and keep full gas tanks.
