US 550 at US 160 Re-evaluation

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), are in the process of re-evaluating the future connection of US 550 to US 160 east of Durango, CO. The selected alternative in the US Highway 160 Durango to Bayfield Record of Decision (US 160 ROD) signed by FHWA in November 2006 included an interchange of US 160 and US 550 approximately 0.6 miles east of the current intersection. The connection of US 550 to US 160 is being re-evaluated because of two issues that have come to light that require further FHWA and CDOT consideration: a gas well was constructed in the US 550 alignment of the preferred alternative, and in 2008, the portion of the Marie J. Webb Ranch (Webb Ranch) property on Florida Mesa was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The US 550 connection selected in the US 160 ROD crosses this historic property.

Preliminary alternatives being considered include the following and are depicted in the Figure 1: Alternative G Modified from the FEIS: a revised Alternative G Modified that avoids a gas well; Alternative F Modified; Preliminary Alternative A from the FEIS, Feasibility Alternative 1B from the US 160 FEIS, additional design variations along the existing US 550 alignment (the "T" Series); the Eastern Realignment Alternative; and the Western Realignment Alternative. For a more detailed review and to see a preliminary design of each alternative click US 550 Alternatives.

The environmental processes that the agencies need to complete include consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, a Section 4(f) Evaluation under the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, and a re-evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These processes and how the alignment of US 550 will be selected are included in this website. A decision on the US 550 alignment is expected within the next two years, or by the Spring of 2011.