CDOT acknowledged the project missed its deadline and negotiated penalties with the contractor.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Thursday that a planned traffic switch from the U.S. Highway 550 Farmington Hills route to the new Highway 550 realignment connecting to the Grandview Interchange is scheduled to take place Sunday. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The long-awaited but recently stalled traffic switch from Farmington Hills to the new U.S. Highway 550, which connects to U.S. Highway 160 via the Grandview Interchange, is scheduled to happen Sunday.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced the route changes Thursday night after the public opening of the new line, which was originally scheduled to open to regular commuter traffic at the end of May but has been delayed at least twice, was postponed multiple times.
The traffic switch is scheduled for 7 a.m. Sunday, CDOT said in a news release.
“Travel to and from Durango will be slightly different, especially for drivers who normally use Farmington Hills,” Regional Transportation Director Julie Constant said in a statement. “We ask drivers to allow plenty of travel time, slow down and heed signs until they can navigate the new interchange route.”
The traffic switchover was originally scheduled for May 29. However, on May 24, CDOT announced that the switchover would be delayed until mid-June because lighting at Grandview Roundabout, as required by federal regulations, had not yet been completed and the project’s electrical subcontractor had been called to Houston by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help restore power after the storm.
On July 3, a CDOT spokesperson said: Durango HeraldIn response to inquiries about the status of the delay, the government responded that it would be on indefinite hold “until further notice.”
No reason for the delay was given at the time.
On Friday afternoon, Constant said “many parts and elements” needed to be worked out before the new connection could be opened up for safe travel by the public.
“The project team has been coordinating with multiple subcontractors and local law enforcement to ensure Sunday’s transition is as painless as possible for drivers,” she said in an email. Durango Herald“Earlier this summer, we faced supply chain issues with lighting and signage, which delayed the traffic switchover.”
Tuesday, Herald He received an inquiry about damages CDOT should pay for delays in completing the 550 Freeway connection.
One sender, who did not give his real name, asked for a penalty of “$17,000 per day” that the Farmington Hills restructuring was delayed.
“I’ve been told the completion date is April 2024, but I’m curious who will receive the approximately $1.7 million in damages so far,” the sender said.
The sender said he got the information from people working on the project.
Constan acknowledged the project has passed its scheduled April completion date.
CDOT Project Director David Valentinelli said that since the project was completed, “CDOT has been working closely with the project team to negotiate liquidated damages for schedule overruns.”
More specific information about the damage was not immediately provided.
Community members and officials gathered on top of the Gulch A Bridge on May 9 during a public preview and drive-thru of the U.S. Highway 550 realignment project, which will bypass the Farmington Hills route to connect to the Grandview Interchange and U.S. Highway 160. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Navigating Grandview Interchange
The DOT said with the Farmington Hills closure, commuters heading north on Highway 550 will be instructed by marshals on the scene to use the Grandview Interchange to travel east or west on Highway 160.
“To accommodate traffic movement north on CR (County Road) 302, crews will be flagging down traffic as barrels are moved throughout the day to accommodate lane changes, line removal and other moving operations, and traffic slowdowns are expected. Intermittent stoppages will also occur,” the release said.
The signs will direct commuters from the interchange roundabout to Mercy Hospital and Three Springs via Highway 160 east and west and Wilson Gulch Road, according to the release.
Commuters heading south on Highway 550 to New Mexico can use the Grandview Interchange to access Highway 550 South.
The Farmington Hill route will apparently be closed because the traffic light at the intersection at the bottom of the hill will be out, according to the release.
“Eastbound drivers will continue east past the old signal at Farmington Hills, use the exit ramp to the interchange, go through the new roundabout and continue south on U.S. 550,” the release states.
Westbound motorists should be sure to stay in the right lane and enter the interchange via the west exit ramp at Three Springs Boulevard to Highway 550 South.
Commuters traveling between Durango and Bayfield will continue to travel their normal routes as usual, and the only visible evidence of traffic changes will be the closed Farmington Hill intersection, CDOT said.
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