Open House a Way to Share Ideas to Make Highway 550 South of Montrose Safer

The Colorado Department of Transportation is planning improvements to Highway 550 south of Montrose and is looking for public input to make travel safer between Montrose and Ouray.

According to Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) statistics, there have been 194 vehicle crashes along a stretch of U.S. Highway 550 between Otter Road and the Ouray County line. Those accidents include five fatalities. Also, almost 63 percent of the accidents involved wildlife.

One of the improvements CDOT is considering is adding rumble strips along a nine-mile stretch of the highway. Other ideas include adding more passing and turn lanes and wildlife fencing.

CDOT and the City of Montrose are holding the open house to get public input about those ideas. They are also asking people to share their ideas on ways to make the highway safer. The open house is on April 19 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Montrose City Council Chamber room at 107 South Cascade Avenue. Those interested can stop in anytime during the event and talk with CDOT representatives and members of the Montrose City Council.