Denver City Wire

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for southeast Colorado beginning this afternoon and lasting through tomorrow. Colorado Department of Transportation crews, along Interstate 25 from Denver to the New Mexico state line, are gearing up for the hazardous weather that will impact driving conditions. The Front Range foothills, Palmer Divide and southeast plains will also experience strong winds causing hazardous conditions.CDOT is staging maintenance personnel and equipment along the I-25 corridor, anticipating the need for highway safety closures, and to assist with clearing blown-over vehicles.Travelers, particularly commercial vehicle drivers, should keep a close watch on the weather conditions and plan to stay off the roads. Motorists should check COtrip.org for up-to-date conditions and closure information. Drivers should not seek alternate routes to circumvent road closures, but rather shelter in place or find a safe location to wait out the high winds. When a highway is closed due to weather conditions, alternate routes are likely also impassable.Additionally, snow is forecasted over the Continental Divide and eastern San Juan Mountains. Heavy snows and high winds can create whiteout conditions, impacting travel along highways and mountain passes.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

Original source can be found here.