Report to Town Council on Highway Access, November 3

Lat night, Tuesday November 3, Julie Constan, Region 5 Director with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), gave a report via Zoom to the Pagosa Springs Town Council about the efforts to open the highway access into and out of Pagosa Springs following the flood impacts of November 1-2.

Wolf Creek Pass
The Pass is currently closed. Quantities of falling rock and debris have impacted the west side of the Pass. On the east side, previous effort to shore up the highway were relatively successful, but a new washout has occurred near the chain station on the South Fork side. It sounds like it will be at least a few days before the Pass will reopen, possibly next week. No promises.

US Highway 84
A problem area has been stabilized and it appears Hwy 84 will remain open into the foreseeable future.

Piedra River Bridge
Following significant damage to the existing bridge, a temporary bridge has been ordered, but considerable work is needed to build the concrete abutments on each side of the river. A drilling team has arrived to help confirm the stability of the river banks where the abutments will be built. This is likely to be a four-week process. There are “a lot of unknowns at the moment”.

Highway 160 west through Aspen Springs to the Piedra Bridge
Repairs to the Martinez Creek washout has been addressed, and Highway 160 is open as far as the Piedra River Bridge. Some areas are still alternating single lane.

CO Highway 151
Two significant washouts exist. The hope is to have one lane operating by the weekend at the washout near Chimney Rock. The other washout may be passable by mid-November.

CDOT hopes to have temporary repairs last through the winter, with more permanent repairs taking place next spring and summer.

1st Street Bridge
The bridge has been inspected and determined to be secure, for the time being, but CDOT is closely watching the damaged Pagosa Springs History Museum, which is hanging precariously over the river and could impact the 1st Street Bridge if it collapses.

With no intention to sound humorous, Town Council member Leonard Martinez wondered if the Museum building was “historic”.

Downtown Highway Reconstruction
With the need to address serious highway issues at hand, Ms. Constan announced that the downtown reconstruction project will not be completed in 2026. The plan is to have all intersections open for the winter, except the S. 7th Street intersection. The east end of the project, however, should be open and fully functional. The project contractor, WW Clyde, is now helping with emergency recovery projects in the area.

The Town Council heard numerous additional flood-related updates which will be shared later.