Road projects making headway

The massive road project in southeast San Juan County continues to make progress. The project stretches from the start of the routes off Highway 191 all the way into Montezuma Creek and beyond to Aneth.
The project is aimed to improve safety along 53 miles of road, including lane widening, installing safety features such as guardrails and cattle guards as well as replacing the McElmo Creek bridge and installation of a roundabout in Montezuma Creek.
The McElmo Creek Bridge is making progress with a new approach carved to the south of the existing bridge. Crews have poured abutments on both sides of the creek.
All four heavy girders have been set in place using two cranes to make the primary foundation for the new bridge deck.
Crews are also working removing and replacing asphalt between the bridge and Montezuma Creek. Motorists are reminded to reduce speeds through that stretch.
Paving on Hwy 262 has been underway for more than a month, and a fresh overlay is being applied on Hwy 162 between Aneth and the Colorado border.
One major aspect of the project is the construction of a roundabout in Montezuma Creek.
A Hwy 162/262 traffic bypass has been in place for about a month and will be in place through the fall. Roundabout work so far has included clearing vegetation, installing erosion/drainage controls and removing material at the site.
Residents will see visual progress in July which is the timeline for early development of the roundabout. The roundabout is anticipated to enhance safety for motorists both local and visitors as well as pedestrians in Montezuma Creek.
With crews working on the bridge, roundabout and other areas on the route; traffic control measures are anticipated to remain in place for much of the summer.
Drivers have been told to plan on the continuation of several short-distance one-way alternating traffic operations utilizing flaggers and pilot cars. Delays are estimated to be about 10 minutes along Hwy 262.
During peak travel hours in the early morning and late afternoon, delays have reportedly risen up to 15 minutes along Hwy 162 between Aneth and Montezuma Creek.
UDOT adds they are committed to safety first and ask motorists to approach construction zones prepared to come to a complete stop and follow directions from flaggers.
UDOT shares the project will make travel safer, smoother and more convenient for the residents in the area; visitors traveling to Bears Ears, Four Corners, and Hovenweep National Monuments; and workers serving the petroleum extraction industry in the region.
Key improvements also include improvements or installation of safety features including 50 guardrails, cattle guards, extra signage, protected turn lanes and pavement markings. 
Widening of lanes and or adding shoulders.
Improving of several dozen culverts and flood mitigation infrastructure
Installing fiber-optic conduit.
Installing over 50 cattle guards at various roadway access points.
Constructing a livestock crossing under 162.