Two new highway information signs went up this week on either side of Cortez.
Colorado Department of Transportation officials say the signs will be used to keep motorists informed and replace old, out-dated signs.
“It’s part of our project to improve traveler communication,” Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
One sign went up south of Cortez along Highway 491 and the other went up east of Cortez along Highway 160 near Shooter’s World.
Shanks said the signs will be off most of the time and can alert travelers to road conditions.
“Sometimes they will have safety messages, such as ‘Buckle up,’ ‘Don’t drink and drive,’ or ‘Watch for Wildlife,” Shanks said.
Fire bans, road closures and heavy traffic warnings can also be put on the signs.
“We will only be putting pertinent information on the signs,” Shanks said.
The signs outside of Cortez are part of a $3.6 million project aimed at improving communications with travelers across the state by upgrading Intelligent Transportation Systems on several area highways.
The signs installed last week will hang over the highway and replace old information signs that were off to the side of the highways.
The new variable message signs are electronic message boards motorists can see while driving. They utilize fiber optic cables that are now available for use in certain areas of the state and can be programed and controlled from afar.
Since 2006, CDOT has been upgrading its signs so they have the ability to utilize wireless and fiber optic networks, and has also been replacing signs that are not compatible with current technologies or have reached the end of their usable lives. Fiber optic sign upgrades will provide faster communication messages with motorists from CDOT information stations, costs less to install and maintain than other forms of technology, and overall are more cost effective than other forms of communications.
The overhead signs can display 12 characters across, with 3 lines down and on three separate panels. All the signs and structures will be painted brown to blend in with natural surroundings. To date, all sign foundations have been constructed and now crews are installing the structures themselves (at every location); next will be wiring and then final testing.
When asked when the signs will be operational, Shanks said, “When we have something to say.”
She added that if the signs are turned on all the time, people tend to ignore them.
Replacements of existing signs and fiber optic improvements are being made at these locations:
Southbound US 550 Ouray at Mile Marker 94.59
Northbound US 550 Silverton at Mile Marker 70.49
Southbound US 550 Silverton at Mile Marker 70.25
Westbound US 160 Cortez at Mile Marker 34.93
Eastbound US 160 Cortez at Mile Marker 40.82
Westbound US 160 West Durango at Mile Marker 80.79
Eastbound US 160 Pagosa Springs at Mile Marker 144.08
Eastbound US 160 Wolf Creek Snowshed at Mile Marker 168.20
Westbound US 160 Del Norte at Mile Marker 201.19
Westbound US 160 Monte Vista at Mile Marker 214.71
Westbound US 160 Alamosa at Mile Marker 229.92
Eastbound US 160 Alamosa at Mile Marker 235.21
Eastbound US 160 Fort Garland at Mile Marker 258.28
Through the project’s completion, motorists may encounter some lane closures in the various areas, as the work progresses from installation through testing. Depending upon the location, some overhead sign installation work will require a temporary full closure, typically done overnight.