Project to Replace US 24 Bridge over UPRR in Johnson Village Progressing Well

May 8, 2014 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - Motorists approaching from US 24/285 signal encouraged drive with caution.

CHAFFEE COUNTY, CO – Work is progressing well on the Colorado Department of Transportation’s project to replace the US 24 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad in Johnson Village. While construction was slated to continue through June 2014, crews from Lawrence Construction Company are hopeful they will beat that schedule, if weather complies. Further completion estimates will be sent at a later date.

The $1.4 million project—funded through the Colorado Bridge Enterprise*—will replace the deficient bridge, which was built in 1937 and now rated in poor condition. Replacement of the bridge will increase safety and offer a new service life of 50-plus years.

SAFETY REMINDER: Motorists traveling southbound (eastbound) on US 24 from Buena Vista are urged to heed the signal at the US 24/285 junction at Johnson Village. Running a red left-turn arrow onto eastbound US 24/285 into Johnson Village could result in an unsafe situation at the work zone approach, where single-lane, alternating traffic may be in effect. Please go Slow for the Cone Zone….for everyone’s safety!

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Motorists can expect mostly off-road work, with some periodic single-lane, alternating traffic during work hours:  7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays possible. There is a 14-foot width restriction during work hours.

PROJECT INFORMATION LINE: For information about this project or to leave a message, call the project information line at (303) 358-0632 (a local line will be established and announced later in the week). CDOT projects statewide, log on to www.cotrip.org or call 511 from anywhere in the state.To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visitwww.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html.

*FASTER (or Senate Bill 09-108, Funding Advancements for Surface Treatment and Economic Recovery) generates funding comprised of car rental fees and weight-based vehicle registration fees. FASTER directs money to safety-improvement projects, and also to the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBE), a government-owned business entity within CDOT. The Colorado General assembly created the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/BridgeEnterprise) to complete bridge projects that involve the financing, repair, reconstruction and replacement of bridges designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and rated “poor” by CDOT.