CDOT and local partners host virtual public meeting for affected communities for US 50 Blue Mesa bridge closure

News Release

April 24, 2024 - Northwestern Colorado - Starting Wednesday, County Road 26 opening times shifted by 30 minutes

Montrose and Gunnison Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation and partner state and local agencies held a virtual public meeting the evening of Tuesday, April 23, to provide the latest info to the community about the US 50 Blue Mesa bridge closure. Partner agencies hosting the event included Gunnison County, Hinsdale County, Montrose County and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Colorado Transportation Commission Chair Karen Stuart and Commissioner Barbara Bowman also joined. More than 800 people attended the virtual meeting, in addition to those gathered at public viewings offered by the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte in their respective library and town hall. CDOT and partner agencies answered 135 questions. Translation was provided in real time in Spanish and American Sign Language. The meeting was recorded and the English version is posted to CDOT’s YouTube account. The US 50 Blue Mesa Bridge Emergency Repairs Public Meeting on 04-23-2024 recording is accessible with this link. CDOT is posting the Spanish language recording as soon as it is available.

Travel times for the local access route changed this morning, Wednesday, April 24. The morning and evening commuter times on County Road 26 are pushed back by 30 minutes. The new times are:

  • Westbound travel - 6:30 to 7 a.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Eastbound travel - 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Commuters should continue to anticipate pilot car operations. Commercial vehicles exceeding a 16,001 gross vehicle weight rating are prohibited. Trailers of any kind are also prohibited from using this route. The road will remain closed at all other times for the ongoing restoration work needed to ensure the road remains safe for travel. The local access route opened on Monday, April 22 and is open during limited hours in the morning and evening.

The hotline and email are available for customer questions. Both were established Friday, April 19. 626 phone calls and emails have been received to date (morning of Wed., April 24). Customers with questions can continue to use either at 970-648-4423 or [email protected]. Calls will be closely monitored and will receive a prompt reply. Information is also available on the website at bit.ly/us50bridge. Travelers should refer to COtrip.org or the smartphone COtrip Planner app to plan an alternate route.

Travel Impacts

  • US 50 is closed between Montrose and Gunnison
  • Recommended alternate routes are I-70 to the north or US 160 to the south
  • A limited, local access route is in place for travel
  • The designated travel times changed beginning the morning of Wednesday, April 24

Project Contact Information

For additional information about this project, contact the project team.