Road construction equipment has rolled into Cortez as resurfacing efforts have resumed along Colorado 145.<\/p>\n
The $5.7 million project started outside of Dolores in March, but the work was postponed because of a scheduling conflict with the contractor, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The work resumed July 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe contractor has stated the work is on schedule for completion by Labor Day,\u201d said CDOT spokeswoman Nancy Shanks.<\/p>\n
Skanska Civil USA West Rocky Mountain District was awarded the project, and the first section of the ongoing resurfacing project is a 1.5-mile section within city limits. The work includes milling the top layer of the existing asphalt surface before paving the section with two layers of asphalt.<\/p>\n
CDOT officials expect the work within the city to be completed by Aug. 1. Afterward, crews will pave the 10-mile stretch of Colorado 145 to the Dolores River Bridge.<\/p>\n
CDOT officials warn motorists to expect single-lane, alternating traffic, between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and reduced speeds and delays of up to 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
Montezuma County Road and Bridge Superintendent Rob Englehart said the project has not impacted county road crews. The county road shop is accessed from Colorado 145.<\/p>\n
Initially concerned that the highway resurfacing could impede a County Road 21 chip seal project as well as access to county roads off the highway, Englehart said those worries have been alleviated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done a really good job of making sure traffic keeps flowing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
County roadways<\/p>\n
The county is responsible for maintaining 517 miles of roadways. The 2014 road and bridge fund budget totals $5,075,631.<\/p>\n
On the job for the past four months, Englehart said his biggest revelation as the county\u2019s road and bridge superintendent involves \u201cfixing\u201d instead of \u201cbuilding\u201d projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m surprised at how tired the existing roads are,\u201d he said. \u201cWe handle a lot of traffic that people don\u2019t even think about.\u201d<\/p>\n
In regard to the debate in Congress over the nation\u2019s failing roadways and bridges, Englehart said he\u2019d gladly welcome additional funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe in doing things,\u201d he said. \u201cGive me the money, and I\u2019d hire more people, buy more equipment and fix more roads.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a recent 10-mile chip seal project, Englehart explained a single tanker of oil, for example, costs $17,000. A thick sludge, the oil hardens, helping to hold the rock in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were spending upwards of $48,000 to $50,000 a day just for oil,\u201d he added. \u201cNot labor, gravel, rock nor diesel fuel, just oil.\u201d<\/p>\n
A problem experienced across the nation, Englehart believes some of the county\u2019s oldest infrastructure needs to be refurbished. He specifically cited Road G, a 25-mile winding roadway through McElmo Canyon, which he described as a future \u201ctrain wreck\u201d financially.<\/p>\n
TABOR impacts<\/p>\n
The county could potentially receive additional transportation funding pending the outcome of a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of TABOR, the Taxpayer\u2019s Bill of Rights. Filed by current and former legislators, educators, public officials and private citizens, the lawsuit, Kerr et. al. v. Hickenlooper, argues that TABOR prevents government officials from enacting and managing decisions over taxes and spending. The decision could affect transportation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTABOR ushered in stagnation for transportation funding in Colorado, leaving the state unable to keep pace with its rapidly growing transportation needs,\u201d the brief states.<\/p>\n
According to facts cited in the lawsuit, Colorado ranks 46th in the nation for highway funding. Based on population, the average state spends nearly $1 billion more on highways than Colorado.<\/p>\n
In its conclusion, the brief summarizes the fundamental way that TABOR essentially removed governing from the job description for Colorado legislators.<\/p>\n
\u201cTABOR ties the hands of the General Assembly . the General Assembly must divorce its budget decisions from any serious consideration of unmet needs that might warrant additional revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Approved in 1992, TABOR limits state spending and requires that all tax increases be approved by a vote of the people.<\/p>\n