The US Bureau of Reclamation with its contract partner, Pate Construction, began water main installation work on Colorado Highway 96 between North Avondale and Boone August 5 as part of the Arkansas Valley Conduit Project. Work will take place along Highway 96 starting at Mile Point 69.5 near North Avondale and US 50 to MP 75.5 near Boone and Highway 209.

The AVC is a significant infrastructure project designed to provide reliable municipal and industrial water to 39 communities in Southeastern Colorado. The pipeline will deliver water from Pueblo Reservoir to Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties, ultimately serving up to 50,000 people.

Work will largely consist of pipeline trenching and boring. Work will be done primarily in the eastbound lane for the five-mile stretch of Highway 96 with both east- and westbound lanes closed in sections for the duration of the project.

The project is expected to be complete in summer of 2025

Traffic Impacts

Motorists and area residents can expect the following impacts during construction:

• Closure of Highway 96 to thru traffic between MP 69.5 to MP 75.5 for the full duration of the project.
• Closures will be 24/7 through June 2025.
• Local residents and motorists should plan for detours that will change as the project advances from west to east.
• Local traffic will have access from either direction of the worksite.
• Access to properties within the active worksite will be guided by flaggers and detour signs and may have up to 15-minute delays.
• The speed limit may be reduced through the work zone.

The project is expected to last until the June 2025.