Bridge on CO 90 at Bedrock Update

MONTROSE COUNTY – Today, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) further strengthened the cracked vertical truss member on the CO 90 bridge at Bedrock (the area had been welded yesterday). CDOT’s structural engineers designed a steel splice—consisting of two each 1/4 inch thick, eight inches wide and four feet long steel plates, with 16 each ¾-inch structural steel bolts. Upon installation of the splice, the bridge is now cleared for passenger vehicle traffic. Vehicles will be directed by a signal for single-lane, alternating traffic across the bridge.

A full structural analysis is being completed and the weight restriction may be lifted soon, allowing commercial traffic to pass over the bridge. (PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK WWW.COTRIP.ORG FOR UPDATES ON THIS TRAVEL STATUS.)

A long-term solution for a bridge replacement is in progress.

BRIDGE INFORMATION - The 1952 steel through-truss bridge underwent routine inspection (typically every two years for older bridges) in December 2013, with no damage identified. Upon a site visit on Sept. 15, CDOT discovered a crack on one of the structure’s vertical truss members (see photo). The bridge was closed late afternoon on the 16th.

HOW TO GET UPDATES: The best way to stay up-to-date on project progress, traffic impacts and more is to sign up for email and wireless (text) alerts. Go to CDOT's website at www.codot.gov and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Enter your information and choose the section of the state (southwest) for which you would like to receive information. Also, scheduled lane closures for CDOT projects can be found on our web site at http://www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html; and finally, any highway closures are also listed on our traveler information site.