Rain or Shine: Community Deck Walk and Ribbon Cutting

Nov. 2, 2017 - Traffic bridge anticipated to open Nov. 7

GARFIELD COUNTY/GLENWOOD SPRINGS—The new Grand Avenue Bridge will open to traffic following a community bridge deck walk and ribbon cutting—all open to the public.

"With the anticipated rain and snow this weekend, we do not have an exact time of the bridge opening," said Gaylen Stewart, construction manager at Granite/RLW Joint Venture. "After 85 days of construction, we are planning for an anticipated opening on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The time is dependent on the weather and ability to stripe traffic lanes."

Rain or Shine: Grand Avenue Bridge Deck Walk and Ribbon Cutting
4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6

Join the GAB team and your neighbors for a traffic bridge deck walk and ribbon cutting on >4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6. Meet on the north side of the traffic bridge deck on the abutment above the pedestrian underpass to celebrate the opening of the bridge.

"The celebration is a fun opportunity for the community to walk across the new bridge deck, celebrate the community working together and be captured in a photograph that will commemorate Glenwood history," said Tracy Trulove, CDOT communications manager. "Over the course of the project we have had many requests for an event on the traffic bridge. We wanted to take a moment and thank our community and local partners."

The traffic bridge is anticipated to open to traffic late Monday, Nov. 6, or the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 7. Because of the variables in weather, an exact time and number of lanes is not confirmed.

Event Schedule

  • Mon. Nov. 6:
    • 4 p.m.: Meet on the north side of the traffic bridge deck (Above the pedestrian underpass)
    • 4:05 p.m.: Quick comments followed by a ribbon cutting
    • 4:10 p.m.: Community photo
    • 4:15 p.m.: Community walk across the traffic bridge
    • 5 p.m.: Patronize downtown businesses

    Parking is available at the West Glenwood Mall with free RFTA shuttles every 15 to 20 minutes. Parking is also available in the WalMart and Safeway back lots, with free RFTA shuttle service to the AmTrak Station.

    Post Detour Traffic Plan

    "Our team will quickly move into transitioning out of the detour configuration," said Graham Riddile, CDOT Region 3 Engineer. "Our first priority is signal timing at Eighth and Ninth streets, and opening the transit priority lane to traffic."

    Lane configurations on the traffic bridge will be designed to accommodate a.m. and p.m. peak weekday traffic. A significant reduction will occur in peak hour delay times and should quickly revert to pre-detour traffic conditions.

    • Crews will roll back the I-70 Exit 114 eastbound exit-only lane and the northbound CO-82 transit lane.
    • triping in the downtown squareabout will be changed in a phased method, follow flagger instructions and signage.
    • The EMS, transit and vanpool lanes on northbound CO 82 and Wulfsohn Road will be open to all motorists with the opening of the Grand Avenue Bridge.
    • Midland Avenue, Eighth Street, Colorado Avenue and Ninth Street will be converted to their pre-detour configuration.
    • The intersection of Eighth Street and Colorado Avenue will return to a four-way stop, with all four pedestrian crosswalks and fencing removed.
    • Pedestrian access is maintained via the Eighth Street and Grand Avenue intersections for both east and west wing streets. Pedestrian access under the bridge is anticipated to open mid to late-December.

    Post-Detour RFTA Transit Information

    Through Wednesday, Nov. 22:

    • GAB1, GAB2 and RG services will continue current routing through Thanksgiving Day.
    • Free Hogback service from Parachute to 27th Street will remain, with AmTrak as the main meeting hub for Hogback buses.

    Thanksgiving to Friday, Dec. 8

    • Hogback service from Rifle to Glenwood Springs remains free during this time.
    • Glenwood Zone buses and Ride Glenwood will resume its pre-detour routing on Thanksgiving Day, fares are $1 per day.

    Saturday, Dec. 9

    • Hogback service from Rifle to New Castle will resume its pre-detour schedule, visit rfta.com for fare information.

    Safety Message

    The new traffic pattern of the traffic bridge and the roundabout will take adjustment. Slower speeds are expected as people begin to navigate this new traffic pattern. Please be patient, follow signage and posted speed limits.

    Commercial Vehicles & Wide-Load Info

    Lane restrictions will be less stringent when the new GAB opens. For wide load and CMV information please visit cotrip.org/truckers.

    Contact the Grand Avenue Bridge Project: