October 11, 2023 |
Photo – US Highway 287 – Courtesy AA Roads
The stretch of U.S. Highway 287 from the Wyoming-Colorado state line south to Colorado Highway 14 at Fort Collins is receiving renewed attention from because of the high number of fatal crashes.
The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports that over the past five years, a total of 570 total crashes have occurred along the 30-mile stretch, including 116 that resulted in injuries and 15 that resulted in deaths.
This has prompted the Colorado Department of Transportation to conduct a study to identify safety improvements aimed at reducing crashes along the corridor. The agency is asking the public to send their ideas on how to make the road safer to the project team at us287safetystudy@gmail.com.
The deadline for responses is Friday, Oct. 13.
Here’s what CDOT plans to accomplish with the study:
- Assess the magnitude and nature of the safety problem.
- Link the cause of crashes to roadway geometrics, roadside features, traffic control devices, traffic operations, driver behavior, wildlife and vehicle type.
- Recommend cost-effective safety and mobility projects to address identified problems.
- Prioritize recommendations based upon factors such as level of improvement and benefit-cost.
- Inform the public about the study and take comments regarding existing safety and mobility concerns.
The agency’s 10-year plan identifies the potential for passing lanes as well as other safety improvements to be built in the relatively near future.
The study will also identify improvements most urgently needed to improve safety and traffic flow.
