CDOT warns of single-lane traffic on Red Mountain Pass starting July 20

Single-lane alternating traffic began on US 550 at Red Mountain Pass on July 20, and traffic signals are running 24/7 on the stretch between Ouray and Silverton in southwestern Colorado. The work turns one of the San Juan Mountains’ most traveled mountain crossings into a slower summer link for road trippers heading through the western San Juans.

Drivers should expect vehicles to take turns through the work zone, which makes delays most likely during busy daylight hours and at peak weekend travel times. On a narrow mountain highway with few places to get around backups, even a short hold can ripple across the whole crossing, especially for anyone driving a tight schedule over the pass.

Red Mountain Pass connects Ouray, Silverton, the Animas River corridor and backcountry trail systems. The route is heavily used by cyclists, motorcycle groups, anglers, hikers and visitors trying to reach trailheads and scenic stops, so a slow crawl through the construction zone can throw off day-hike plans, hotel check-ins, guided tours and sunset-photo runs all at once.

If your itinerary depends on getting from one side of the pass to the other without a cushion, leave earlier and build in extra time. Travelers towing trailers, driving RVs or trying to stack multiple recreation stops into one day need extra time because the alternating-traffic setup leaves little room for a clean, uninterrupted run over the mountain.

CDOT’s July 16 update keeps traffic signals running 24/7, and emergency plans are in place if wildfire or flooding activity affects the corridor.