US 6 & US 385 Bridge Replacements
Motorists can anticipate overnight full closures on US 6 west of Holyoke for two nights beginning Monday, July 20 while crews set bridge girders. A 12-foot vehicle width restriction and 73.5-foot vehicle length restriction remain in place through the work zone. Drivers should use caution and watch for construction trucks entering and exiting the project area. The scheduled closure times and detour routes are listed below in the Traffic Impacts section.
About the Project
The Colorado Department of Transportation and contracting partner, WW Clyde, began replacing five bridge structures located on US 6 and US 385 in March 2025. The outdated bridges that will be replaced are located on US 6 and US 385, near Holyoke, in Phillips County, 13 miles west of the Colorado-Nebraska state line.
The updated structures will have a lifespan of up to 100 years which will minimize the need for frequent maintenance and repairs. By replacing aging bridges, this project will enhance safety for Colorado’s traveling public and address the challenges posed by deteriorating infrastructure, including bridges that may no longer meet modern safety standards.
The US 6 and US 385 Bridge Replacement Project is anticipated to be completed in October 2026.
Work Completed in 2025
During the 2025 construction season, crews constructed three shoo-fly detours to temporarily divert traffic while the existing bridges were demolished and new structures were built. In addition, a new culvert was installed at the bridge north of Holyoke on US 385 at Mile Point 291 to improve water flow.
The three bridge replacements that began during the 2025 season include:
- US 385 south of Colorado Highway 23, MP 279
- US 385 south of County Road 4, MP 291
- US 6 east of CR 37, MP 453
Work Planned for 2026
During this construction season, crews will complete the remaining work at the three bridges that began construction in 2025. This work includes culvert installation, paving, and removal of the shoo-fly detours.
Crews will also begin replacing bridge structures at the following locations:
- US 6 west of CR 41, MP 454
- US 6 west of CR 43, MP 455
This work will begin with constructing shoo-fly detours at both locations to allow traffic to bypass active work zones. The detour on US 6 west of CR 41 at MP 454 will reduce traffic to a single lane with alternating travel guided by a traffic signal. The detour on US 6 west of CR 43 at MP 455 will operate 24/7 and feature a two-lane traffic flow. The existing bridges will be demolished and replaced with new structures.
Project Benefits
- Updated structures will have a lifespan of up to 100 years, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs
- Replacing aging bridges will enhance safety for Colorado’s traveling public
- Addresses challenges posed by deteriorating infrastructure, including bridges that may no longer meet modern safety standards
Work this Week & Lane Closures on US 6 & US 385
Project Facts
- Construction Cost: $20 Million
- Contractor: WW Clyde
- Timeline: March 2025 to October 2026
- Location: US 6 and US 385
- Nearest Town/City: Holyoke
- Mile Point(s):
- MP 453, 454 and 455 on US 6
- MP 291 and 279 on US 385
- County: Phillips
Work Schedule
- Daytime work hours range from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Occasional weekend work may occur
- Overnight full closures are scheduled Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Overnight alternating single-lane closure is scheduled Wednesday, July 22 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- An additional overnight closure may be needed due to weather or other unforeseen construction delays
- The work schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change
Traffic Impacts
Motorists can expect the following impacts during the period of construction:
- Motorists can anticipate the following overnight traffic impacts on US 6 west of Holyoke:
- US 6 between Worley Avenue and CR 41 at MP 455: Full closure of US 6 with a signed detour directing motorists:
- Eastbound US 6: Travel east on US 6, north on US 385, northeast on CR 23, south on CR 41, to reconnect with US 6
- Westbound US 6: Travel north on CR 41, southwest on CR 23, south on US 385 to reconnect with US 6
- Caution: Flaggers will direct traffic at the CR 23 and CR 41 railroad crossing - be prepared to stop
- Following each overnight closure, the shoofly detour will reopen as a single lane with alternating traffic controlled by a temporary traffic signal, allowing motorists to bypass active construction areas
- US 6 between CR 41 and CR 43 at MP 456:
- Alternating single-lane closure with flaggers directing traffic through the shoofly detour – be prepared to stop
- Delays of up to 15 minutes are anticipated
- A 12-foot width restriction and 73.5-foot length restriction will remain in place
- Caution: Increased construction activity, including construction equipment and trucks entering and exiting
- Following each overnight closure, the shoofly detour will reopen as a 24/7 shoo-fly detour with two lanes of traffic maintained through the work zone
- US 6 between Worley Avenue and CR 41 at MP 455: Full closure of US 6 with a signed detour directing motorists:
- Motorists can expect the following impacts during the normal period of construction:
- US 6 between Worley Avenue and CR 41 at MP 455: To maintain traffic flow during bridge construction, a 24/7 shoo-fly detour with alternating lanes guided by a temporary traffic signal, allowing motorists to bypass the active construction areas
- US 6 between CR 41 and CR 43 at MP 456: Traffic is shifted onto a 24/7 two-lane shoo-fly detour to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction during bridge construction
- US 385 near Kellogg Street at MP 279: Flaggers will be in place to guide traffic through alternating lane closures
- A speed reduction will be in place at each bridge location to ensure the safety of motorists and crews
- A 12-foot width restriction and 73.5-foot length restriction will be in place
- Construction vehicles will be entering and exiting the work zones
- Refer to COtrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures
