Highway 50 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Brings out State Representative, State Senator, and Many More!

Description: Saturday will be the long awaited re-opening of Highway 50 between Manzanola and Fowler, Tuesday a ceremonial ribbon cutting was held.

Pictured Above L to R - Brendan Biddle, CDOT Project Engineer; State Senator Larry Crowder; Otero County Commissioner Jim Baldwin; Shoshana Lew, CDOT Executive Director; State Representative Bri Buentello; Karen Stuart, Transportation Commission Chairperson; Richard Zamora, CDOT R2 Transportation Director (partially pictured behind the sign, Larry Hanneman From Castle Rock Construction)

Highway 50 Ribbon Cutting

The scene was full of excitement, laughter, and joy. Colorado department of transportation staff gathered along side politicians and members of the community to celebrate the near completion of the US 50 Fowler to Manzanola Resurfacing Project. A 10.8 million dollar undertaking that has had the essential highway shut down since March. This project provided significant safety improvements including widening and lengthening the existing passing lane, placing safety rumble strips at centerline and shoulders, repairing bridges within the project limits and reconstruction of the crumbling roadway. The asphalt surface was then resurfaced with concrete. 

Michelle Peulen, Communications Manager of CDOT, opened the ceremony giving great thanks to the community for their patience with this ongoing project, understanding the monumental impact the project had on the economy of the Arkansas Valley. Citing this as the main reason for hosting the ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the official re-opening of the highway.

Shoshana Lew, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, went on to explain the vital role that US 50 plays in our state’s transportation network. Stating that our recent reliance of freight and the supply chain during the pandemic demonstrates this critical role. 

Ms. Lew then explained how the project has faced and overcame several challenges over the last seven months. She expressed how incredibly proud she was of the Colorado Department of Transportation staff as well as contracted company, Castle Rock Construction. She explained how much work was required to complete this project on time during a “global pandemic and active wildfire season.”

Local state representative, Briana Buentello, also gave thanks to CDOT and Castle Rock Counstruction, citing the long project time. Briana explained how she has been concerned about the economic impact the highway closure has had on the local communities. That the major inconvenience to US 50 has affected the annual summer travel to the region and that local farm and produce sales felt a significant blow. This being a major industry to the Arkansas Valley, she thanks Southeast Coloradans and their ability to “hang tough, and hang tight.” Reassuring the community that the wait will in fact be worth it, and that the economic development of the area will increase due to the repairs of the highway. 

Senator Larry Crowder finished up the speeches at the event with a thank you to the Colorado Department of Transportation contractors and the taxpayers. Senator Crowder went on to state that he was impressed with the work done to the highway. Mentioning that you do not often associate a 10.8 million dollar road project with Southeast Colorado and that this “was a very special day for Southeast Colorado”

Senator Crowder then spoke on a more personal note, showing great gratitude to the improved safety features of the highway, mainly the center-line rumble strips. The Senator went on the explain how he was originally from Manzanola, and how his own father had lost his life in a car accident on the very same stretch of highway. He firmly believes that the improved safety features of the highway will save many lives. Being in his last term, Senator Crowder explained how this would in fact be his last public event, and how special it was for him to be involved. 

US 50 will officially re-open for travel on Saturday October 17th, bringing a much needed reprieve to the area! 

Safe Travels!!

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