CDOT plans for project to enhance safety on Wolf Creek

By Lyndsie Ferrell
WOLF CREEK— Due to an increasing number of accidents occurring on the overlook corner on Wolf Creek Pass, CDOT officials will begin an enhancement project beginning on June 4.
“The corner by the overlook is just too deceiving for vehicles, both trucks and passenger vehicles, and we are going to make some changes that will hopefully improve safety on the roadway from the summit down the west side of the pass to the overlook corner near mile marker 160,” said CDOT communications Manager Lisa Schwantes.
The project that is expected to begin June 4, has been awarded to a contractor and will include signage and lane changes that will help make the west side of the pass safer for travelers. “it is very, very important for people to know that the overlook is closed and once the project gets going, the entire area is closed to the public. People can not park anywhere in the immediate area, on both sides of the highway. It is just too dangerous, and we will have law enforcement on the project to help enforce the law,” continued Schwantes.
The project came about in light of a recent accident that claimed another life on the dangerous overlook corner. Schwantes did not have specific details pertaining to what exactly the project will turn out to be, but did confirm that crews will be adding additional signage, utilizing electronic detection of speed and striping along the roadway that could potentially decrease some of the two lane travel areas down to one to help discourage higher speeds.
“We have mentioned it several times before, but it is important for people traveling the pass to realize that it is far too easy to become comfortable at higher speeds on that side of the pass. The way the road is engineered it offers a sense of comfort for people traveling along the pass, and we need to create a way to keep the calm but discourage the speed. The signs will be speed activated and will include warnings that may suggest truckers immediately take the runaway ramp after a certain speed is detected,” said Schwantes.
CDOT is also going to restart the “Beware the Wolf” campaign that was launched last year in an effort to spread education among travelers on high mountain driving, specifically along Wolf Creek Pass. “We have revamped the campaign, and it will now be translated into Spanish for the Spanish-speaking community. We want to reach as many people as possible to help educate them on the dangers of high speeds along Wolf Creek Pass. We will be distributing new press releases and brochures in the next few weeks,” said Schwantes.
Schwantes reiterated how important is was for people to know that the overlook location and surrounding area is closed to the public. “We do not want people parking across from the overlook and then walking across the highway either. We will be using the pull-off locations for project staging and it is just far too dangerous. One truck or vehicle crash is one too many.”