Ashley Dieterle
Elizabeth residents can expect a new traffic signal on their way
east out of the town.
The signal is at the intersection of Colo. 86 and County Road
17. Construction on the Colorado Department of Transportation
project began the last week of August and is set to be finished by
the middle of October.
The traffic light is meant to improve northbound traffic turning
left onto Colo. 86 from County Road 17.
Elizabeth Town Manager Chris LaMay said the light also will
allow safer access to the state highway at the intersection.
“It will allow for people to make a left turn movement without
as much challenge,” he said.
He also said the signal will help traffic headed to and from the
Elizabeth Parks and Recreation building on County Road 17, and
people visiting Casey Jones Park.
After the project is complete, the signals will flash for five
days as a test to verify it’s working properly. CDOT will also
coordinate with the Elizabeth Fire Protection District to make sure
the emergency vehicles work in synchronization with the signal.
CDOT project engineer Charley Fox said it’s a standard procedure
between fire departments and new traffic signals.
“The emergency vehicles have opticon transmitters on them that
make the green light come on when they approach the signal,” he
said.
The project also requires new pavement at the intersection. Work
is scheduled for Oct. 8 and could cause some traffic delays for one
day.
DKS Enterprizes was contracted through CDOT and is installing
the signal.