Closures, Detours Announced for Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Work

I-70 night detour July 11-13, Grand Avenue Bridge closure and upcoming Colorado River delays

GARFIELD COUNTY/GLENWOOD SPRINGS—The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announces an upcoming traffic detour and Colorado River recreational use restrictions required for the placement of the steel girders for the new pedestrian bridge.

Project Contacts
 

About the CBE

The Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBE) was formed in 2009 as part of the FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) legislation. It operates as a government-owned business within CDOT. The Colorado Transportation Commission serves as the CBE Board.

The purpose of the CBE is to finance, repair, reconstruct, and replace bridges designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and rated "poor." Learn more.

These detours and use restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of interstate and river users during the crane operations required to place the girders over I-70 and the Colorado River.

Interstate 70 to Sixth Street Night Detour
At 8 p.m. Monday, July 11, all I-70 traffic will be detoured onto east Sixth Street. Both eastbound and westbound traffic will merge into a one-lane configuration, and will be detoured through Sixth Street in Glenwood Springs via a break in the construction barrier on I-70 near Yampah Vapor Caves. The I-70 night detour will be in place from 8 p.m. - 6 p.m. on July 11, 12 and 13.

"The detour is necessary for safety-critical overhead work as the contractor installs the steel girders for the pedestrian bridge over I-70," explains, Tom Newland, project public information manager.

Grand Avenue Bridge/SH 82 Night Closures

The Grand Avenue Bridge will also be closed from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. on Monday, July 11 through Thursday, July 14. The closure of the bridge is necessary for utility work. Motorists should utilize Eighth Street to Midland to Exit 114, and US 6 to access I-70.

Colorado River Impacts
"The girder span over the Colorado River requires us to close the river to all recreational use at the Grand Avenue Bridge." Newland said. "The crane operators will be working from 4 a.m. to noon. Once they are finished, the Shoshone, Grizzly Creek, and No Name put-ins will be opened to the public."

Colorado River Delay Schedule
From 4 a.m. - noon on Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22, all launching points along the Colorado River will be closed—including Shoshone, Grizzly Creek, No Name and other downriver put-ins along the Glenwood Canyon and Glenwood Springs area. The Hanging Lake rest area and Bair Ranch rest area will remain open.

"We understand the impact to river users during peak rafting months. Because of this, we are mobilizing construction crews to start early to allow commercial rafting companies and the public to get back out on the river as soon as possible," Newland said.

Additionally, daily phone conference briefings will be held at 3 p.m. beginning July 11. The conference call will announce river updates and any schedule changes associated with the Colorado River launch delays.

"Weather and wind factors could change the closure dates. The best way to stay informed is to sign up for our emails and call into the daily conference call." Newland said.

The Colorado River conference call number is: 218-339-7800 Access Code: 230 0335.

Be advised of river flow changes:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
The Colorado River at the Grand Avenue Bridge is faster than previous years because of temporary encroachments created by the project. Be safe and aware before using the river. For more information on river safety and causeway construction, watch this safety video.