UPDATE: Colorado Highway 3 in Durango is now closed for a critical two weeks as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiates urgent rockfall mitigation work. The closure, effective immediately, is necessary to ensure the safety of motorists after a retaining fence sustained damage from falling rocks.
Authorities confirmed that the retaining fence, designed to catch and redirect falling debris from the sandstone cliffs, was compromised when rocks struck one of its support posts. Regan French, a geohazards geologist with CDOT, described the situation as a wake-up call, noting, “It was like a day or two before Christmas… a bunch of rocks had fallen.”
The work began on Monday, and crews will be utilizing a two-rope rappel system to safely navigate the steep cliffs while clearing loose rocks. French emphasized the importance of this phase, stating, “Dropping loose rocks is the first phase of the project,” which will pave the way for repairs to the fence and installation of new support posts.
CDOT is collaborating with Apex Rockfall Mitigation LLC from Grand Junction to execute the project. As of now, French and her team are meticulously assessing the slope and preparing for the next stages, which include drilling new anchors for the fence’s support posts. “The next phase, we’re going to simultaneously drill rock anchors for those new posts,” she explained.
This proactive measure is part of CDOT’s ongoing commitment to managing rockfall hazards throughout Colorado, a state notorious for such geological risks. French noted, “Colorado has got to be one of the No. 1 states that has to deal with rockfall mitigation.”
In addition to the rockfall mitigation, CDOT is taking advantage of the road closure to conduct necessary maintenance, including sealing cracks in the road surface. The project is expected to be completed by March 20, and CDOT is ensuring that no residents are put at risk during the operation.
As the work progresses, French highlighted the broader implications of their efforts, stating, “We are actually building an asset management platform and inventorying every single slope across the state to help us make decisions about where makes the most sense to work on and put up a fence based on mobility and safety.”
Motorists and residents in the area are urged to stay informed about the ongoing work and any updates from CDOT. The closure of Highway 3 is not just a temporary inconvenience; it is a crucial step toward ensuring the long-term safety of those traveling in and out of Durango.
For real-time updates on the project and road conditions, stay tuned to CDOT’s announcements.
