Eastern Plains Timber Bridge Replacement Newsletter - June 16, 2023

Work has resumed on U.S. Highway 6 (near MP 372.5) east of Brush, which is approximately one mile east of the I-76/US 6 interchange. Preparations are underway for final asphalt paving where the bridge was replaced last fall. Asphalt paving is anticipated on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24. Paving activities are weather-dependent, and this schedule is subject to change.

Drivers should expect intermittent shoulder closures and one-lane alternating traffic during daylight hours for several weeks for finishing work.

A full closure of U.S. Highway 34 between County Road MM and CR PP between Platner and the Town of Otis is necessary from 9 a.m. on Monday, June 19 through 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 while an old highway bridge is demolished and replaced. This work has been rescheduled several times due to weather and poor site conditions.

The bridge is located on US34 (Mile Point 206.50) approximately three miles west of Colorado Highway 61/Dade Street. The team is optimistic about the weather forecast next week. However, this work is weather-dependent, and the schedule is subject to change.

Two signed detour routes will be provided during the closure. US 34 through-traffic and commercial vehicles will detour north to Interstate 76 between CO 63 in the Town of Akron and CO 61 in Otis. The secondary detour route, which is intended for local traffic only, will direct traffic around the work zone on gravel roads. The westbound US 34 detour will send traffic north on CR PP, west on CR 42, and south on CR MM. The eastbound US 34 detour will direct traffic north on CR MM, east on CR 41, and south on CR PP.

A vehicle width restriction is in place from MP 198 to 207. No loads over 12 feet wide are permitted through August 31, 2023.

The US 34 bridge between Platner and Otis is the seventh of ten timber bridges throughout the region to be replaced. The project is in the middle of the second phase, which replaces two US 34 bridges in Washington County between Akron and Otis in addition to a US 6 bridge in Morgan County that was replaced last year.