Road work prepping entrance to town

Two weeks of detours

By Mark Reaman

A two-week road closure that starts Monday, April 30 will impact Crested Butte traffic at the south entrance to town until Friday, May 11. The Sixth Street work will start with some concrete work for the Center for the Arts, while the second week will focus on milling up the asphalt and laying down fresh pavement.

“The Town of Crested Butte will be working with Black Dragon Construction and the Colorado Department of Transportation [CDOT] for a road closure,” explained Crested Butte public works director Rodney Due. “The Center for the Arts needs to install some storm-water inlets and a valley pan along that section of roadway the first week. The concrete needs time to set up prior to CDOT coming in the second week. CDOT will be milling up the old asphalt and laying down new asphalt on Highway 135 from Red Lady Avenue to Elk Avenue the week of May 7.”

Due said the highway would be closed from Red Lady Avenue to Elk Avenue. “Traffic to Mt. Crested Butte will be diverted to Red Lady Avenue, to Seventh Street, to Elk Avenue, and then back to Sixth,” he said. “Traffic from the mountain to Gunnison will run in the reverse. Red Lady Avenue will remain open at the Old Town Inn to accommodate a detour for traffic coming into Crested Butte.”

This section of road will also be closed to foot traffic. Due said children walking to school are being asked to avoid this area to the extent possible, and instead use Eighth Street.

The Mountain Express bus service will be also affected. Theresa Henry of Mountain Express said, “During the road closure, the Sixth and Belleview stop will be closed. We are encouraging riders to use the Fifth and Whiterock or Four-way Stop instead.”

Due said he understood road work is never popular. “Town staff appreciates everyone’s cooperation during this time,” he said. “After construction is complete residents and tourists alike can expect a nice new section of road through town.”