Residents Hopeful New Plan For Highway 285 Will Lead To Fewer Wrecks
CONIFER, Colo. (CBS4) - In recent years a hill and a curve on Highway 285 outside of Conifer have contributed to several accidents, many of which have been fatal.
The location is on a stretch of the highway above Shaffers Crossing that is set to be under construction soon.
In hopes of reducing crashes, the Colorado Department of Transportation is going to remove flexible yellow poles which divide the lanes and install metal wire dividers instead.
The 1,000 feet of cable wire that will be put in place is designated to keep cars from crossing into oncoming traffic.
"I think it will help," said Claire Hendrickson, a resident of the community of Pine. "People have been telling them for about two years to do something about that road."
Jim Owsiany, also of Pine, told CBS4 congestion on the road has increased in recent years.
"This whole highway has gotten dangerous, and it has gotten more congested as the growth in Denver has occurred. And people come up here and they think it's an interstate sometimes," Owsiany said. "They just need to slow down."
Hendrickson, who uses the road on a daily basis, said it's up to drivers to be responsible.
"Slow down, pay attention, stay off the phone," was Hendrickson's advice.
Last month two people on a motorcycle were killed after a head-on collision with a car that crossed the double yellow lines.
The daily work schedule for the construction on the highway will be from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m, and drivers should plan ahead and give themselves extra time when passing through the area.
The project is set to begin soon and is scheduled to be completed in October.