Colorado’s U.S. Route 50 Middle Bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir reopened yesterday following months of closures and construction after state and federal transportation officials discovered cracks in the steel supports.
The bridge was closed in April. Inspections that started after the closure found another 118 defects in four main areas on the structure, according to officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Crews used 250 tons of steel plate with over 25,000 bolts on the Middle Bridge, according to CDOT.
The U.S. Route 50 Lake Fork Bridge, which is about five miles to the west, is still restricted to one lane as crews are still removing the platform below the bridge. However, both lanes are expected to open in December.
While the U.S. Route 50 Middle Bridge is fully reopened and most of the construction work is done on both bridges, the project won’t be officially done until next spring.
CDOT plans to prime the steel for the final coat of paint on each bridge next spring when temperatures are warmer.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and support throughout these past several months,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in a news release. “We know this bridge closure posed a very challenging situation for many people throughout southwest Colorado, and your resilience and understanding were crucial in helping us get to this point.”
Source: The Denver Post, KDVR
