Bridge Replacement Project on Hold near Trinidad

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Purgatoire River Bridge replacement project on U.S. 350 is on hiatus due to environmental concerns from migratory birds.

“We’ve stopped work until the birds that have taken residence in the work zone move on,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Craig Wieden.  “Work is expected to resume in late August or early September.”

CDOT shut down the project to avoid any wildlife disruptions after consulting with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  Any wildlife tampering under provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 can result in fines of $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for organizations.  Prison time also is possible.

The project, about 12 miles northeast of Trinidad, had been under construction for about a month.  A one-lane, paved detour was being built.  As a result of the shutdown, traffic will remain on mainline Highway 350 until the detour is built, most likely in September.

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.