Timpas Bridge Project Set to Start

November 10, 2011 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - Bridge Enterprise funding new structure southwest of La Junta.

OTERO COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins replacing the Timpas Creek Tributary Arroyo Bridge on U.S. 350 next week, about 18 miles southwest of La Junta.

Beginning on Monday, November 14, detour construction gets underway around the bridge, which is just south of Timpas.  Traffic will continue to use the old bridge until the detour opens, currently scheduled for December 1.

After traffic is shifted onto the detour, vehicles will be able to travel through the work zone unimpeded  while the new bridge is being built.  However, occasional traffic stops up to 10 minutes can be expected from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for various construction activities.  A 45 mph also will be in effect through the work zone.

The project is scheduled for completion in April 2012.

In addition to removing the old structure and construction of the new bridge and detour, the project includes new asphalt pavement and guardrails.

“We’re replacing a timber bridge that was built in 1937 and is rated in poor condition,” said CDOT Project Engineer Dean Sandoval.  “This new structure will have a design life of 75 years so it’s a long-term improvement to the state highway system.  Safety also will be enhanced since the new bridge will have wider shoulders where it’s currently a narrow section.”

Lawrence Construction Co. of Littleton, CO. is the project’s prime contractor.

The $1.2 million project is fully-funded through the Statewide Bridge Enterprise, a government-owned business entity within CDOT.  Created as part of the FASTER (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) legislation, its goal is to finance, repair, reconstruct or replace any bridge designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and rated “poor” by CDOT.  Additional information is available at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html or by calling 511.  To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.  The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including Southeast Colorado.