USA Pro Challenge To Impact Highway Traffic
DENVER (CBS4)- As thousands of bicyclists hit the mountain roads and highways across Colorado for the USA Pro Challenge, highway traffic along the route will be impacted.
The Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol and a number of towns and cities are getting ready for the largest spectator event in Colorado.
Each year, the Pro Challenge draws more than one million spectators to view the seven-day race in person. Navigating more than 550 miles of terrain, racers will pass through numerous towns and cities, including Aspen, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Salida, Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Breckenridge, Vail, Boulder and Denver.
Beginning Aug. 18 and continuing through Aug. 24 the USA Pro Challenge will bring some of the world's top cyclists and fans to Colorado. To assist motorists, CDOT will have up-to-date information on their website regarding highway closures, delays, oversize and overweight restrictions, suggested alternative routes and answers to frequently asked questions.
Summary of State Highway Impacts:
- Aug. 18/Stage 1/Aspen Circuit: State Highway (SH) 82. Impacts will begin at 1 p.m. and end at approximately 5 p.m.
- Aug. 19/Stage 2/Aspen to Mount Crested Butte: SH 82 west to Basalt, Old SH 82 through Basalt, SH 82 west to Catherine's Store Road (County Road 100), SH 133 south from Carbondale over McClure Pass to Kebler Pass Road (CR 12). Impacts begin at 10:30 a.m. and end at approximately 4 p.m.
- Aug. 20/Stage 3/Gunnison to Monarch Mountain: U.S. 50 east over Monarch Pass to U.S. 285 junction (Poncha Springs), county roads to Salida, traffic stops on SH 291 (West 1st Street in Salida), county roads to Poncha Springs, U.S. 50 west to the top of Monarch Pass. Impacts begin at 11 a.m. and end at approximately 6 p.m.
- PLEASE NOTE: Highway 50 will be closed to ALL motorized traffic between SH 114 and U.S. 285 in Poncha Springs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. SH 114 will be the detour route during the closure. However, while U.S. 50 is closed, all oversized and hazardous material trucks will be held at staging areas in Gunnison and Poncha Springs beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until approximately 6 p.m.
- Aug. 21/Stage 4/Colorado Springs: Circuit race utilizing city roadways. Traffic stops on U.S. 24 at 21st Street; full closure of U.S. 24 Business Route (Colorado Avenue) between 29th and Tejon streets. Closure of Interstate 25 off-ramps at Bijou – Exit 142. Impacts begin at 11:50 a.m. and end by approximately 4 p.m.
- Aug. 22/Stage 5/Woodland Park to Breckenridge: U.S. 24 to CR 77 (Tarryall Road), U.S. 285 from Jefferson, over Red Hill Pass to Fairplay, SH 9 over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge. Impacts begin at 11 a.m. and end at about 4 p.m.
- Aug. 23/Stage 6/Vail Pass Individual Time Trial: U.S. 6 in Vail (Frontage Road), Interstate 70 westbound Vail Pass (right lane closed). Closure of I-70 off-ramps at East Vail Interchange – Exit 180. Impacts begin at 10 a.m. and end by approximately 6 p.m.
- PLEASE NOTE: Oversized and overweight vehicles traveling westbound I-70 will be held at the scenic overlook (mile 196), just prior to the Copper Mountain/Leadville Interchange - Exit 195, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Aug. 24/Stage 7/Boulder to Denver: SH 93 from SH 119 (Canyon Boulevard) south to 19th Street in Golden. U.S. 40 from Lookout Mountain Road to Heritage Road (CR 93), traffic stops on U.S. 6 at Heritage Road/Jefferson County Parkway, closure of westbound I-70 off-ramp at 32nd Avenue Interchange – Exit 264, traffic stops on Kipling Street (SH 391) between 26th and 32nd avenues, Wadsworth Boulevard (SH 121) between 26th and 32nd avenues, Sheridan Boulevard (SH 95) between 29th and 32nd avenues and at Federal Boulevard (U.S. 287). Closure of I-25 off-ramps at Speer Boulevard. Closure of Colfax Avenue (U.S. 40/287) between Glenarm Place and Sherman Street. Impacts begin at noon and end at about 5 p.m.
CDOT also will distribute race information the morning of each stage, with any necessary updates regarding impacts to the state highway system.
LINKS: usaprocyclingchallenge.com
