US 50 Emergency Bridge Improvements

Announcements

Limited Opening of the US 50 Middle Bridge Information:

The first phase of repairs is complete on the US 50 bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir. Emergency vehicles and those in smaller vehicles are now able to cross over the US 50 Middle Bridge. One lane will be open on the US 50 Blue Mesa Middle Bridge, and pilot cars, at slow speeds, will lead single-direction traffic alternating both ways (eastbound and westbound). Please find the schedule below: 

  • One lane is open from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This operation will continue until repairs are complete. For more information about allowable vehicles, visit the Local Access Information page. 

In addition to these twice daily openings of the US 50 bridge for smaller vehicles, the County Road 26 detour is open several times daily for people in larger vehicles and those unable to make the open times for the US 50 bridge. No Hazmat vehicles are allowed. For a full list of times the County Road 26 detour is open, visit the Local Access Information page.

About the Project:

US 50 bridge crossing the Blue Mesa ReservoirUS 50 bridge crossing the Blue Mesa Reservoir near Dillon Pinnacles that is now closed

A safety closure is in place for a bridge on US Highway 50 located west of Gunnison - although it has been partially reopened now that Phase I repairs are complete. The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed the bridge at the urging of the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts due to the findings of an ongoing safety inspection, which identified anomalies in the bridge on Thursday, April 18. The closure is in place between US 50 Mile Point 136 and MP 140.

Phase I repairs, which involved fixing cracks and critical issues in four areas that pose an imminent risk to structural integrity, are complete and the bridge opened to traffic on July 3. Phase II completion along with a full reopening of the bridge is scheduled for fall 2024. 

Motorists should use COtrip.org to plan an alternate route, unless you are planning on stopping in one of the communities surrounding the closure then please visit the Local Access Information page. 

 Detour Route of US 50 & Closures on COtrip

Project Facts

  • Construction Cost: $6 Million
  • Contractor: Kiewit
  • Timeline: April 2024 to October 2024
  • Location: US 50 eastbound and westbound
    • Nearest Town/City: Gunnison
    • Mile Point(s): 137.30 to 137.31
    • County: Hinsdale, Gunnison, and Montrose counties

Map depicting closure locations on US 50 west of Gunnison US 50 map showing the road is closed in both directions from Mile Point 136 to 140 

Traffic Impacts

Recommended Alternate Routes for US 50 

This closure will create a significant detour for commuters between Montrose and Gunnison. The recommended detour route for through traffic (those not stopping in Crested Butte, Gunnison, Hinsdale County, Montrose or other surrounding areas) is via I-70 to the north or US 160 to the south. Access the recommended detour route on COtrip here. CDOT understands the inconvenience that this creates and is rapidly evaluating options to improve options for residents, businesses, and travelers on the western slope.

The northern route is 354 miles and requires approximately six hours of travel time. The southern route is 331 miles and requires nearly seven hours of travel time. For those planning to stop in the communities surrounding this closure, visit the Local Access Information page to see the local access detours. 

Local Access Route Information

Key Facts:

  • CDOT has been conducting a special inspection for high-strength steel bridges for the Blue Mesa bridges as required by the Federal Highway Administration. This inspection was required because of known issues with similarly constructed bridges elsewhere in the country. A defect was observed during an early investigation of the bridge at approximately Mile Point 136.3. CDOT immediately brought in a second inspection crew with resources to perform another method for testing whether the defect posed a safety hazard on the bridge. The second inspection took place on Thursday, April 18.
  • CDOT is continuing to assess the safety of the bridge and to quickly determine options for interim and permanent fixes – and will keep the public informed as soon as more information is available. The bridge closure is located between Gunnison and Montrose. It is located east of the US 50 Little Blue Creek Canyon project, which is currently in a planned winter shutdown.
  • Once our inspection plans are finalized and we can more accurately forecast a time frame to complete that work, we will be able to follow up with additional information for the public about the duration of this closure. As more of the inspection work is complete, we will also have more details to share about the condition of the bridges, as well as any restrictions that will need to remain in place while repairs are made.

Work Schedule:

More information coming soon.