US 34 timber bridge replacement east of Akron starts in April

Project Update

March 24, 2023 - Northwestern Colorado - Daily lane closures are expected for several months while the contractor removes an old timber bridge

Washington County - The Colorado Department of Transportation and Lawrence Construction will replace a bridge on US Highway 34 (Mile Point 198.84) approximately two miles east of Colorado Highway 63/Cedar Avenue in Akron starting in April.

Daily lane closures with flaggers alternating traffic are expected for several months while the contractor removes an old timber bridge and replaces it with a large concrete box culvert.

A four-day full closure of US 34 between County Road EE and CR GG is necessary in mid-April when the bridge is demolished and replaced with the culvert. More information will be posted on message boards near the work zone and on the project web page as the closure date approaches. A signed detour route will be provided.

Pavement at the US 34 bridge approaches will be replaced, and outside shoulders will be widened to eight feet. Other project work includes new guardrail, drainage improvements, and upgraded signage and striping. Construction completion is expected in late summer 2023 for this Akron location.

The US 34 bridge east of Akron is the sixth of 10 timber bridges throughout the region to be replaced. The project is in the middle of the second phase, which replaces two US 34 bridges in Washington County between Akron and Otis in addition to a US 6 bridge in Morgan County that was replaced late last year.

“CDOT has prioritized safety and mobility on several transportation corridors by replacing 90-year-old timber bridges. We replaced five bridges just in the last year,” said CDOT Region 4 Transportation Director Heather Paddock.

Project Background

Ten timber bridges throughout the region are in the process of being removed and replaced with concrete bridges or box culverts. Five bridges are now complete. Roadway pavement on the bridge approaches will be removed and replaced. Outside shoulders will be widened to eight feet across each bridge or box culvert. Other project work includes new guardrail, drainage improvements, access modifications, and upgraded signage and striping. Drivers should expect full roadway closures for each of the five remaining bridge replacements.

Eastern Plains Timber Bridge Replacements Phase 2 project map

General work hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with occasional extended hours and weekend work. Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Weekly updates are available on the project webpage.

Stay Informed

For additional information about this project, contact the project team.