Travelers using US Highway 550 over Red Mountain Pass in southwest Colorado should prepare for significant closures during September. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced that the San Miguel Power Association will conduct electrical power line work requiring full road closures from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, between September 2 and September 18.
The affected area is on the north side of Red Mountain Pass, stretching from Ironton Park to just south of Ouray. The work is dependent on weather conditions.
During the closure periods, motorists traveling northbound from Silverton will be stopped at the north end of Ironton Park (mile point 87.5), while those heading southbound from Ouray will be stopped at Bear Creek Falls Overlook (mile point 90). Access to Ouray County Road 18 (Engineer Pass/Alpine Loop) from Ouray will remain open, but equipment used for wire-pulling operations may limit space available for vehicle unloading at the intersection with US 550.
The scheduled closure dates are:
– Week 1: Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4
– Week 2: Tuesday, Sept. 9 through Thursday, Sept. 11
– Week 3: Tuesday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 18
For more information about the Red Mountain Electrical Reliability and Broadband Improvement Project, travelers can contact San Miguel Power Member Services at 970-864-7311 extension 2310 or visit https://www.smpa.com/red-mountain-electrical-reliability-and-broadband-improvement-project.
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