The seven-mile stretch of Highway 160 east of Elmore’s Corner has been the focus of local officials for nearly ten years. Now, thanks to funding from the bi-partisan Federal Infrastructure Bill, improvements will begin in 2027. A Colorado Department of Transportation study found that, over a four-year period, there was one deadly accident and four serious ones on this particular stretch of road. Improvements will include wildlife fencing, a roundabout at the most dangerous intersection, and dedicated turn lanes. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Crystal Mart.
Colorado Department of Transportation - https://www.codot.gov/
U.S. 160 East Elmore’s Corner Project - https://www.codot.gov/projects/us160elmoreseast
Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers - https://www.freddys.com/location/durango-co
Crystal Mart - https://www.downtowndurango.org/biz/crystal-mart
Highway 160 East of Elmore's Corner will soon be getting a makeover aimed at improving congestion and safety. You're watching the "Local News Network," brought to you by Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers and Crystal Mart. I'm Connor Shreve. Improvements on 160 from 172 past County Road 225 will include wildlife underpasses, more lanes, and a roundabout at the most dangerous intersection. La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka welcomes the improvements.
First and foremost is the safety of the people here in La Plata County and also the region, the state, whoever's traveling. This is a major thoroughfare. And so what this is, is an opportunity to increase the safety on here. And so I really appreciate the partnerships I have with Senator Bennet, and being able to make sure that I had a voice to be able to bring this attraction to the concerns that we have.
The project will be a majority funded with $59 million from the 2021 Federal Infrastructure Law. Colorado, US Senator Michael Bennet, recently toured the highway.
This became one of our highest priorities because of the advocacy of Commissioner Salka as well as the community saying we need to do this. I'm glad to have the chance to push it through. I'm glad I've have the chance to understand how it's all going to lay out here.
This particular stretch of road has been a safety concern dating back to 2015. A four year study from CDOT found multiple serious and one deadly crashes. Designs for improvements were completed in 2022, before that version of the project sputtered to a halt.
It was due to the fact that we didn't have the funding. This helped spur that project to move that forward up the list. And so that's why we were able to do this with Senator Bennet's assistance and directing that funding to this project has helped bring that up on the list.
Road improvements are exactly what the Federal Infrastructure Bill is intended for, which was signed into law by President Biden and supported by 19 Senate Republicans and 13 House GOP members.
It was bipartisan, and it's bipartisan in Colorado. When it comes to roads and bridges, people don't care what party anybody is. They know we need to get the work done, and it's been exciting for me to be able to see CDOT show us how they're now going to be able to fulfill their 10-year plan as a result of the money that's coming in from the taxpayer as part of this bill.
Bennet praised members of our community from both sides of the aisle for working together on the issue. He says that unity is what allowed state and federal lawmakers to prioritize the project for federal funds. The remaining $52 million will come from both state and federal funds, Senate Bill 21-260, Faster, and the Bridge Enterprise. Improvements will include construction of a four-lane highway to accommodate projected increase in travelers, dedicated turn lanes, a roundabout, and multiple wildlife underpasses. For more information about this and other stories, visit durangolocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the "Local News Network," I'm Connor Shreve.
