Extended flagging operations planned for the US 50 Lake Fork Bridge after Labor Day

Travel Advisory

August 8, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Overnight full closures originally scheduled to start Aug. 12 have been canceled

Gunnison, Hinsdale and Montrose Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Kiewit, will be conducting extended flagging operations on the US 50 Lake Fork Bridge, just west of Sapinero, after Labor Day 2024. This is a shift from the originally planned overnight full closures that were scheduled to occur starting Aug. 12. Crews will be conducting repair work on the bridge overnight and will be allowing approved vehicles over the bridge intermittently, with flaggers, from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week. Motorists should expect longer wait times to cross the bridge during this time frame. Daytime crossings will continue with flagged, one-way traffic across the Lake Fork Bridge; daytime wait times should be significantly shorter than the overnight time period.

The project team continues to look for opportunities to increase the connectivity and traffic windows during the repairs on both the US 50 Middle and Lake Fork bridges. This updated traffic plan moves away from a plan that would have required full overnight closures and would have seriously affected the Sapinero community, specifically.

The Lake Fork Bridge is open to all legal loads, but several types of larger vehicles will continue to need to use the County Road 26 detour and avoid crossing the Middle bridge, including:

  • RV/Campers
  • Motorhomes
  • Trucks pulling trailers (boats, campers, side by sides)
  • Semi trucks
  • Buses*

*After evaluating load constraints on both the US 50 Lake Fork and Middle bridges, the project team has determined that school buses are exempt from the bus restriction and can be permitted to use this route. This will allow school buses to use US 50 as they normally would during the hours that the Middle Bridge is open to the public (check the updated information on Middle Bridge opening times below).

US 50 Middle Bridge expanded limited openings

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 12, one lane of the bridge will be open twice daily for alternating single-direction traffic between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. seven days a week. These expanded opening windows will provide a total of six hours of public access each day. One lane on the US 50 Middle Bridge will be open during those times and a pilot car will lead smaller vehicles across the bridge one direction at a time. Flaggers will be posted to assist in determining which traffic can go over the bridge and which traffic will need to use the County Road 26 detour.

For more information about US 50 local access options, including County Road 26 updates, visit www.codot.gov/projects/us50bluemesa/access.

Public meeting

CDOT will host a hybrid public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Members of CDOT’s leadership team, Kiewit and Gunnison County will be in person at the Gunnison County Courthouse as well as online via Zoom. The team will be updating the public on the new US 50 Lake Fork Bridge schedule and current repair progress on the US 50 Middle Bridge. A question and answer session will be conducted following construction updates.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Gunnison County Courthouse - 200 E. Virginia Ave., Gunnison, CO 81230
Link: https://bit.ly/US50Bridge

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

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