US 24 Bridge Replacement Project Complete

LAKE COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has finished the US 24 bridge replacement project south of Leadville from mile marker (MM) 178 to MM 179.Despite complications with utility line installations, the project finished on time and on budget.

“We want to thank residents and officials of Lake County for their patience throughout the project,” said Project Engineer Bob Yost. “Thanks to the coordination and flexibility of the county, CDOT was able to use county roads for the project detour, which halved the amount of time required to complete the project.”

CDOT replaced two bridges on US 24 south of Leadville with box culverts. The former bridges, both built in 1934, became functionally obsolete and could no longer handle the amount of traffic that used them on a daily basis. In addition to replacing both bridges, CDOT also widened the lanes and shoulders, and installed new guardrail and bridge rail. CDOT made the decision to start the project after Labor Day in order to further minimize the impacts on tourism and the local community.

Northern Colorado Constructors, Inc. was the contractor for this $1.3 million project.

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