Construction along the U.S. Highway 160/550 corridor to improve the surface of the road wrapped up this week.
The $6 million resurfacing project along Camino del Rio and North Main Avenue was intended to extend the life of the pavement another 15 to 20 years, a news release said.
Old lane markings remain, but removing the stripes would have increased the cost of the project, David Valentinelli, CDOT resident engineer, said in a statement.
“The grinding process highlighted existing depressions and surface irregularities in the pavement’s surface caused by 25 plus years of traffic wearing,” Valentinelli said. “Since those irregularities were unable to be ground to the same extent as the majority of the pavement surface it has caused a shading contrast.”
The grinding treatment increased the highway’s smoothness by 60 percent and the surface color will weather to a more consistent shade, a news release said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
