Colorado Department of Transportation Releases Highway Impact Information for USA Pro Cycling Challenge

From Monday, August 22 through Sunday, August 28, the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge (USAPCC) will bring the world’s top cyclists and their fans to the state. The race will impact numerous highways and in order to prepare motorists, CDOT has posted details on its traveler information website (www.cotrip.org).

The site contains information for motorists regarding road closures, delays, oversize/overweight loads, and detours. The times for delays and closures are estimates and may be subject to change. For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon, and are encouraged to follow CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot). Daily road closure information during the event will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state.

Race officials are estimating that it may draw more than one million spectators over the course of seven consecutive days. Traversing more than 500 miles of Colorado terrain, racers will pass through numerous towns and cities, including but not limited to Aspen, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Denver, Gunnison, Salida, Steamboat Springs, and Vail.

Summary of impacts:

• August 22/Day 1/Prologue in Colorado Springs: Highways impacted include I-25, US 24, and Business US 24. Impacts will begin at noon and end by approximately 4:30 p.m.
• August 23/Day 2/Stage 1 from Salida to Mount Crested Butte: Highways impacted include State Highway 114, State Highway 135, US 50, US 285, and Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end by approximately 4:30 p.m.
• August 24/Day 3/Stage 2 from Gunnison to Aspen: Highways impacted include State Highway 82, US 24, Cottonwood Pass, and Independence Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will start at 11 a.m. and will last until approximately 4 p.m.
• August 25/Day 4/Stage 3 Vail Time Trial: I-70 will be impacted from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m.
• August 26/Day 5/Stage 4 from Avon to Steamboat Springs: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 131, and US 6. Impacts will start at noon and end by approximately 4 p.m.
• August 27/Day 6/Stage 5 from Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 9, State Highway 134, US 6, US 40, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Impacts start as early as 9 a.m. and will end by approximately 4 p.m.
• August 28/Day 7/Stage 6 from Golden to Denver: Highways impacted include I-25, I-70, I-70 Business (Colfax Ave.), State Highway 58, State Highway 93, State Highway 95 (Sheridan Blvd.), State Highway 121 (Wadsworth Blvd.), State Highway 391 (Kipling St.), and US 6. Impacts begin as early as 5 a.m. and will end by approximately 3 p.m.

Visit www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc for road conditions in your area during the race. Spectator information is available at the USAPCC official website (www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com). CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey road signs, Colorado State Patrol, and race officials. To receive updates about road conditions in the race area, visit www.coloradodot.info/ and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Several options will be available, including specific highways and regions throughout the state.