Ramp construction for new interchange begins in Pueblo West

Travel Advisory

October 9, 2020 - Southeastern Colorado - Work will require traffic shifts on Purcell Boulevard

PUEBLO Starting Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Transportation will begin construction of on- and off-ramps that will connect to a future interchange at US 50 and Purcell Boulevard in Pueblo West.

Ramps on the east side of Purcell Blvd. will be constructed first, then work will move to the west. Traffic on northbound Purcell Blvd. will be shifted to the west into a permanent configuration. Access to Pueblo West Marketplace from Purcell Blvd. will be closed. Access to the plaza from Industrial Boulevard will remain open. This phase of ramp construction is expected to continue through spring of 2021.

The project will significantly increase safety on a roadway that carries a high volume of traffic, reduce commuting times for area residents, and allow pedestrians to safely navigate the intersection.

TRAVEL IMPACTS 

Northbound and southbound traffic on Purcell Blvd. will be shifted to the west to make room for crews to conduct work. Flaggers will direct motorists through the construction zone. Slight delays can be expected throughout this phase of work, and the use of alternate routes is recommended.

STAY INFORMED

More information is available at: 

Project website: www.codot.gov/projects/us50interchange

Project information hotline: 719-789-5099

Project email: [email protected]

Traffic Alerts: Text US50Purcell to 313131

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:

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.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • 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.

  • Be patient!

COVID-19  

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks.  As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely. 

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. 

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT 

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.