Dry weather means great start to $152 million “Energy Corridor” road project

The $152 million Energy Corridor highway project is underway in southeast San Juan County. Over the next year, State Highways 261 and 262 will see significant work along the entire 35-mile length of the two state highways.
Officials state that extremely cooperative weather conditions has resulted in steady progress and few obstacles.
As anticipated, the first months required minimal traffic management. While one-way alternating traffic operations have been necessary near construction zones, travelers report minor delays.
Motorists approaching construction zones should be cautious, slow down, and follow instructions from flaggers. Construction is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and material availability. 
Crews on SR-262are clearing vegetation and moving earth in preparation for future shoulder additions/road widening.  The bulk of the updates to storm water drainage (culvert extensions) and various erosion/environmental controls are complete.  Fiber-optic installation is approximately 50 percent complete. 
Work has concentrated along the western half of the construction area from the bottom of White Mesa Hill to the east, but they have also begun off-road activity near the Colorado border.
On SR-261, erosion and other environmental controls are mostly complete on the Bluff to Montezuma Creek section.  Storm water updates and fiber-optic installations continue.
Work has not yet started on the Montezuma Creek to Aneth section of SR-261, but crews have been installing fiber optic cable from the Colorado border toward Aneth.
Off-road work during the late-Fall and Winter season will be largely dependent on weather.  At this time, no road paving activity is scheduled, but please check the website frequently for updates.
The project is designed to improve safety and pavement along the highways, including construction of a roundabout at the highway intersection in Montezuma Creek, replacing the bridge over McElmo Creek, and installing fiber-optics.
In addition, the project will improve guardrails, cattleguards, signage, pavement markings, widen or add shoulders, and rebuild or improve several dozen culverts and flood prevention infrastructure.