Construction on infamous Colo. mountain curve begins after two serious semi wrecks

The Colorado Department of Transportation has started work on a reinforced guardrail along a particularly dangerous curve in southwestern Colorado. 

The Cascade Curve on US Highway 550 in Colorado is just two miles north of the Purgatory Ski Resort between Durango and Silverton. Since April, two semi truck crashes have occurred along the curve, prompting officials to seek permanent safety measures to avoid future incidents, reported CBS.

The first commercial vehicle wreck on the curve in 2024 happened on April 17th, obliterating the semi truck and forcing the closure of the highway the following day for removal of the rig. The second crash at the curve this year happened on May 29th, when a semi truck hauling pipes went off the road and rolled all the way into Cascade Creek below. Recovery of that rig also forced the shutdown of the highway. 

“The Cascade Curve has a steep downhill grade when traveling southbound,” stated CDOT Regional Transportation Director Julie Constan in a press release. “Due to ongoing crashes, especially with commercial semi trucks, extra safety measures are needed.”   

The permanent, improved guardrail is intended to prevent commercial vehicles from leaving the roadway, and may even allow them to slow down and regain control of the truck, or come to a stop. 

The construction project reduces Highway 550 to a single lane of traffic between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. During hours construction crews are not working, a temporary traffic light system will control the alternating flow of traffic. 

The project is expected to be completed before the end of November.