US 550 Bear Creek Bridge

Project completed

Project Overview

American Civil Constructors, Inc, (ACC), contractor to the Colorado Department of Transportation has resumed work on the Bear Creek Bridge, which is 2 miles south of Ouray on US 550.

ACC spent much of the first season removing a portion of the north rock face and installing a temporary bridge widening in preparation for a complete bridge replacement this season. Crews will be re-routing traffic over the temporary bridge segment and will begin demolition of the existing structure that spans an approximate 300’ drop.  CDOT’s design of the new bridge re-aligns and widens it by 12 feet, greatly improving safety and function.  The project also includes a pedestrian overlook enabling visitors to take in the dramatic view of Bear Creek Falls.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has contracted with American Civil Constructors, Inc. to remove and replace the 44-year-old bridge at Bear Creek on US 550.  In 2009, this bridge was identified as one of two bridges in Ouray County given a poor rating, meaning that its remaining service life is from 1-6 years and its sufficiency rating is less than 50 out of 100.   The new design, by CDOT’s in house Engineering team, will widen the bridge, improve the parking area off the north end of the bridge and feature a cantilevered walkway to allow visitors a better view over the canyon edge onto the falls below.  This project was made possible through Colorado FASTER – 09-SB-108 funding.

The project was started on July 26, 2010 and had a seasonal shut down in late October.  The anticipated completion date is November 2011.

Traffic Impacts

  • The single lane configuration is in effect 24-hours per day, 7 days per week and alternates traffic approximately every two minutes.
  • During construction hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday the signal will be supplemented with flagger manned traffic control during critical construction activities and holds may last up to 20 minutes.
  • When night work occurs, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday thru Thursday, crews may extend traffic holds up to one hour.
  • Blasting operations will occur during daylight hours and may require longer than 20 minute holds as we secure the site.