It was reported at the commission meeting last week that D&L Constructors bid for the parking lot is approximately $198,000. Western Triad submitted a bid to stabilize and rebuild the steel-and-concrete foundation of the flume for $109,000. Work may start this fall and resume in spring. Bid awards are contingent on final approval from CDOT.
“It could take a year or longer for construction to be completed,” once bids are approved, said county planner James Dietrich.
The roadside attraction will have an entrance and egress road, parking lot, sidewalks, information kiosk and a handicap-accessible trail to an overlook of the flume, built in 1890.
Two grants are helping to pay for the project.
A $253,000 grant from the Federal Highways Administration was awarded to the Trails of the Ancients Scenic Byway, a section of which includes U.S. 160 that goes by the flume.
The Colorado State Historic Fund provided a $123,840 grant to restore the flume foundation.
Several groups chipped in for a $41,280 match, including Montezuma County, Southwest Water Conservancy District, Ballantine Family Fund, Montezuma County Historical Society and Southwest Roundtable.
The flume is the last of 104 built in the area from 1890 to 1920. It delivered irrigation water south of Cortez and to the Ute Mountain Tribe.
Other transportation news
CDOT is considering making the intersection of U.S. 491 and County Road BB safer at Pleasant View. (See story on Page 7A)
The intersection of Highway 491 and County Road S at Arriola needs improvement. It is rated “the most dangerous intersection in Colorado,” said county road supervisor Rob Englehart.
For drivers turning right onto U.S. 491 from Road S, problems arise when northbound and southbound traffic on the highway attempt to go around a driver turning left onto Road S.
“They use the acceleration lane as a passing lane, then run into the back of a vehicle turning right onto the highway from Road S,” Englehart said.
Improvements are not expected for three years.
The county is applying for a $1.8 million grant to rebuild the truck route in the Goodman Point area. The county would provide a match.
The project would begin on County Road U at Lewis-Arriola School, go west to Road 20, south on Road 20 to Road S, west on Road S to Road 17, south on Road 17 to Road P, then south on Road 16 to Road N.
In 2016, Road 42 will get an overlay from Colo. 184 for 1.1 miles to the top of the hill. The county plans to chip-seal the road for the next 5 miles to the forest service boundary.
The Road 34/33 area will get improvements next year. The county plans to chip-seal Roads 34, M and 33 between U.S. 160 and Colo. 184.