Alamosa County and the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA-CFLHD), in cooperation with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, will be constructing improvements to Lane 6 North between Mosca, CO and the national park. The route is approximately 16 miles long and is an east west connector between State Highways 17 and 150. The route serves the local community and region and provides access to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, San Luis State Wildlife Area, Zapata Falls, Bureau of Land Management lands, and US Forest Service lands. The proposed improvements include resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of the roadway.
The project will impact traffic on Lane 6 between CO Hwy 17 and CO Hwy 150 and eliminate through access beginning May 15 and continuing to September 1, 2022. The project is divided into East and West Sections and each section will experience full closure of both lanes 24 hours per day as noted below. During this period, visitors to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve should avoid Lane 6 and instead detour south to US Hwy 160.
The road will be completely open, 24 hours, from May 27 - June 5 to provide access for travelers accessing the national park unit and other public lands before, during and after the Memorial Day weekend.
Partial route access will only be as far as the San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area (an 8-mile stretch of the road) for travelers accessing the SWA and only accessible for local access. Local access is defined as local private property owners living along Lane 6 and federal property owners (areas not publicly accessible, administrative use only). All users (travelers and local access) accessing any portions of Lane 6 should expect delays up to 30 minutes. Travelers or local traffic using Lane 6 to access Great Sand Dunes, businesses along Hwy. 150, and Hwy. 17, Zapata Subdivision homeowners, and other public lands along Hwy. 150: April 1 – May 15: Shoulder work/single lane closures allowed (minimal delays anticipated but 30-minute max allowed) May 27- June 5 - Lane 6 open 24 hours, no construction occurring. May 15 – September 1: Lane 6 closed 24 hours and detour in place via Hwy. 160, approximately 13 miles south from the intersections of Lane 6 with either Hwy 17 or Hwy 150. Access to San Luis State Wildlife Area (SWA): May 15 – July 20: West section full closure (8 miles) – access to San Luis Lakes SWA from the East via CO Hwy 150. July 20 – September 1: East section full closure – access to San Luis Lakes SWA from the West via CO Hwy 17.
It is important for travelers to plan for the impact to their travel plans from the distance of the detour to available facilities such as gas stations, restrooms, grocery stores and restaurants. For information on how this will impact travel to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, contact the visitor center at 719-378-6395 during visitor center operating hours, 9am to 4:30pm. For information on how this will impact travel to other businesses or impact local private property owners, please contact Alamosa County Road & Bridge at 719-589-6262 during operating hours, 7am to 5:30pm, Monday through Thursday.
Original source can be found here.
