The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Anticipated completion in August
[ By Kendra Walker ]
The current Gothic Road work and Snodgrass trailhead parking improvements both continue to move forward, with anticipated completion in August.
The Gothic Road improvements include resolving drainage issues, which were the underlying cause of multiple failures and potholes, according to Mt. Crested Butte capital projects manager Evan Roberts.
“We are actively working to minimize delays and disruptions to Gothic traffic flow while maintaining a safe work zone,” said Roberts. “I anticipate six to seven more working days of disruption between now and the end of the project.”
Also, beginning in mid-August, the section of Gothic Road that was worked on last summer is going to be slurried, which is a process of putting a mixture of crushed granite over the road to protect it and improve long-term maintenance. No major closures are expected to occur during the process.
Roberts said that the Snodgrass trailhead improvement work will wrap up shortly after the completion of the Gothic Road improvements, for anticipated completion in late August. However, Roberts noted that the town is feeling the effects of the national labor shortage, which is also compounded by a short building season.
As part of the improvements, the project will formalize a paved lot of 44 parking spaces, extend the Rec Path to the trailhead and formalize a bus turnaround all within the town’s right of way. According to Roberts, the underground piping has been completed and this week the earthwork began in preparation for concrete.
As far as where to park during the construction, the upper lot is still active along with some temporary parking behind the town’s maintenance building. “As construction progresses, temporary changes to the parking patterns will be necessary,” he said. “The maintenance department has active signage at the parking area alerting people of any changes.”
Roberts said the maintenance department has also been working closely with Mountain Express to minimize any disruptions to bus service to the trailhead. “To date there have been little to no disruptions of service,” he said.
And even though it’s the height of the summer crowds, Roberts says they are making every attempt to minimize the impact to the users of the trail. “As with any year, trailhead parking can be problematic. We continue to coordinate with visitors on appropriate parking areas,” he said. “At the end of the day, we feel like the new parking area will be a great improvement to the trailhead.”
