Temporary Traffic Disruptions Possible during Tri-State Utility Upgrade across the Dolores River Canyon
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DOLORES, Colo. – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) is preparing to relocate a segment of transmission line across the Dolores River Canyon, with work expected to occur from September 28 through the end of October, including on BLM-administered public lands in the Tres Rios Field Office. To ensure public safety, Tri-State will control traffic ingress and egress through the area during the four-week construction period.
“While the BLM, Forest Service, and Tri-State will make a reasonable effort to minimize disruption and maximize access to public lands, public safety will remain our highest priority during construction activity,” noted BLM Tres Rios Field Manager Connie Clementson. Traffic may be intermittently halted or redirected to avoid hazardous conditions.
In February 2017, the BLM and U.S. Forest Service approved Tri-State’s proposal to rebuild the existing Montrose-Nucla-Cahone transmission line from 115 kilovolts to 230 kilovolts and to operate and maintain the new line and optical ground wire across Dolores, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties. Tri-State will be rerouting the line across the Dolores River Canyon approximately one mile west of its current location to ensure more stable footing on either side of the canyon for future line maintenance activities. Wire pulling and wreck-out of the line at the existing crossing will occur from 7:00 am through 7:00 pm daily, including Saturdays. Temporary barriers and signage will be in place and flaggers will be posted at strategic locations to direct traffic and manage recreational access.
For information or questions related to construction activities, please call Tri-State’s Construction Hotline at 1-833-360-3393 and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.