VALLEY — The southwest division of Colorado Department of Transportation held a telephone town hall Monday night for the residents from counties around the area to see what questions or concerns they have, along with project updates.

The counties involved are Alamosa, Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel. 

Some of the main projects CDOT is focusing on are US Highway 550 and US Highway 160. On US Highway 160, the focus is on the need for better future mobility use with more highway shoulders, passing lanes, repaving and restriping. This project is still ongoing and needs more funding in order to be completed. The same is true for US 550 and the need for more mobility.

Residents who called in with concerns and questions ranged from the rockslide to signage and turning lanes.

Over the weekend, US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass was closed due to a rockslide caused by rain. It is only open to one lane alternating traffic.

Many residents from different counties called to voice their concerns over the safety of drivers because of the lack of turning lanes. CDOT responded saying they have looked into studies about car accidents and are looking to fix certain areas.

A common answer from CDOT was funding and budgets. They said they are doing what they can with what they have and are trying to stretch out their funds for various projects.

Kristin Hicks is an intern at the Valley Courier.