Upgrades, Above and Below the Road

Colorado Department of Transportation, CDOT crews, have been visible at the intersections of Lamar’s Main streets the past several weeks, updating the cameras, lights and sensors. A crewmember said burned out LED lights are being replaced and the sensors and timing regulators for the lights are being checked.  Basically it’s a general overhaul, not connected to the anticipated resurfacing project that’s scheduled to begin later this summer.  No specific date has been set at this time for the first phase of the project to begin.

CDOT at Main and Olive in Lamar

The crewman said since it was mentioned, they would also check the timing of the signal lights at the intersection of Highway 287 and Savage Avenue. Local motorists have often wondered why the green lights eastbound on Savage Avenue stay green for only about 0:12 seconds before they revert to red!!!!!  A situation that has caused a number of drivers to consider an abrupt detour to a side street instead of a lengthy wait for their light to go green again.  The CDOT employee explained that the timer will take its programming cue from the amount of traffic that runs north/south vs east/west and set the balance of the timing routine in favor of the most traveled route.

Night Work for Atmos Crew on Parmenter Street

Work is being conducted below the ground around Lamar by Atmos crews. Apparently the CDOT resurfacing project will dig deeper than the level of some of their gas lines.  The crews have been lowering those gas line junctions, digging up the old road prior to the project.  The new road surface will be concrete instead of asphalt which is more costly to replace once it has been torn up.  That cost consideration is what has prompted the City of Lamar to replace all the aging water and electric infrastructure in the first phase of the project.  Plans call for the lines to be replaced and moved from the middle of the highway to the west side of the southbound lanes.

By Russ Baldwin