CO 55 River Bank Repairs Over the South Platte River

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor, Hamilton Construction of Golden, have completed a permanent flood repair project in Logan County. The project encompassed clearing and stabilizing a large area of river bank adjacent to the South Platte River, west of Colorado Highway 55, for clean water diversion and the erection of a permanent 750-ft.retaining wall. The South Platte River crosses CO 55 one mile south of Crook. 

Project Purpose and Value

This federally funded repair project was designed to mitigate future erosion to the CO 55 Bridge and to protect the surrounding wetlands that were damaged by the flood of 2015. Environmental protection was a primary consideration and project engineers worked closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife during the project’s clearing and stabilization phases to ensure minimal disturbance to wetlands, vegetation, and endangered species unique to the area. CDOT applied stringent spill prevention, soil erosion, pollution, and clean equipment controls to comply with all federal environmental standards.

Retaining Wall Construction

In early October, crews finished building the north retaining wall after installing sheet piling. They also piled rock for structural integrity and to blend in with the environment.

They've now moved on to building a 750-foot retaining wall along the south river bank using cost-saving methods that will prevent further erosion to the area. They started by driving steel sheet pilings into the ground to form the foundation. For aesthetics, they then drive timber pillars in front of and behind that steel piling.