I-25 Frontage Road Reconstruction (Little Thompson River Bridge)
Project Description
This project will replace the existing steel arch bridge structure on the I-25 frontage road over the Little Thompson River. The bridge is located between Mead and Johnstown just south of I-25 at mile marker 250 (State Highway 56/Berthoud exit).
The existing bridge will be reconstructed with a longer and slightly higher concrete structure to accommodate the flood flow of the Little Thompson River. The existing structure was constructed in 1938 and is both in poor condition and structurally deficient. Unfortunately, many of Colorado's bridges are in disrepair or poor condition (more than 120 across the state), many of which are used every day.
Zak Dirt is the contractor for this $1.3 million project, which is funded through the Colorado Bridge Enterprise (CBE). The CBE was formed in 2009 as part of the FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery) legislation. The purpose of the CBE is to finance, repair, reconstruct and replace bridges designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and rated in poor condition. This additional transportation funding is essential for CDOT to maintain and improve the safety of our bridges.
Project Timeline
This project began in September 2012 and will finish by June 2013.
Construction Impacts
During construction, there will be travel impacts for regular users of the bridge, as it will be closed completely for the duration of construction. The frontage road will be closed just south of the Park-n-Ride located at I-25 Exit 250 (the Berthoud exit), but the Park-n-Ride will remain open throughout the duration of the project. The frontage road will also be closed just north of the access for the Valley Dirt Riders facility. There will be detour signing directing traffic to Valley Dirt Riders via the I-25 Exit 245, then north on the frontage road, as access will only be available from the south.
For weekly lane closure information, visit www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html
Project Update
Crews resumed work after a winter hiatus the week of Monday, March 25. With the project nearing completion, crews reopened the bridge to the traveling public on Friday, April 12 (several weeks ahead of schedule).
