CO 69 Near Gardner now Open Following Flash Flooding

SOUTHEAST COLORADO—Colorado Highway 69 is now open to traffic following repairs caused by flash flooding.

Crews have constructed a temporary detour lane three miles north of Gardner, next to the bridge that was damaged by a flash flood last week. The detour, for now, is controlled by portable light signals to single-lane, alternating traffic. Travelers are urged to use caution while driving through the area, as a short section of the detour road is a dirt surface.

Crews will continue work to pave the entire length of the detour road and paint striping for two-way traffic. The temporary detour road is expected to be completed in about a week, and will continue to be used for the duration of the larger bridge replacement project.

CDOT began a project earlier this summer to replace the aged wooden bridge structure on CO 69 near Gardner. The temporary detour road was being worked on when the flash flood occurred. The bridge replacement project is set for completion in spring 2019.