The summer-long project, where construction lasted months, is expected to finish by this week, according to a project update from the Colorado Department of Transportation on Thursday.
Just a few, last-minute landscaping touchups remain for a project that began in June at the Mildred Road and Harrison Street intersections along U.S. Highway 160, east of Cortez Main Street and central to several downtown businesses and neighborhoods.
The project, with a cost projection at $1.6 million, made various improvements to both intersections. According to a new release, the contractor was Morton Electric, Inc. Completion of the work was pushed back as it was originally anticipated to finish last month.
Lighting at traffic stoplights received LED fixtures that replaced the incandescent ones, which use less electricity, last longer and require less maintenance. Additionally, devices in those stoplights were modernized to respond more effectively to traffic conditions within the business hub and try to reduce any delays.
A huge aspect of the project focused on improving multimodal transportation. These enhancements are about improvements for diverse types of movement, including for pedestrians and for any wheelchairs, strollers, bikes or any other forms of travel with wheels. This aspect aligns with the department’s priority of helping communities stay compliant with more modern aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, CDOT spokesperson Lisa Schwantes said in an interview when the project work first began June 15.
Crosswalks at both Mildred and Harrison intersections were improved to clearly define crossing areas and to add curb ramps with proper sloping and textured surfaces for wheels. Additionally, those crosswalks will now provide audio cues. The audio prompts walkers or rollers when safely to cross since both intersections offer access points across U.S. 160 to either Parque De Vida or the City Market.
According to the department, most statewide work crews in general will be off the roadways by noon Friday to account for Labor Day Weekend – construction work for most places resumes following the holiday weekend on Tuesday.
awatson@the-journal.com
