Middle Bridge (Colorado)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2025) |
Middle Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Middle Bridge, October 2007 | |
| Coordinates | 38°28′05″N 107°15′13″W / 38.4680°N 107.2536°W |
| Carries |  US 50 |
| Crosses | Blue Mesa Reservoir/Gunnison River |
| Locale | Gunnison County, Colorado United States |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Girder |
| Material | Steel/Concrete |
| Location | |
 | |
Middle Bridge is the crossing of Blue Mesa Reservoir (the Gunnison River) on U.S. Route 50 (US 50) within the Curecanti National Recreation Area in southwest Gunnison County, Colorado, United States, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east-northeast of the community of Sapinero.
Prior to the construction of the Blue Mesa Dam, US 50 did not cross the Gunnison River there, and a portion of the old highway can be seen descending into the lake. The Blue Mesa Middle Bridge was built in 1963.[1]
2024 closure
[edit]The bridge was urgently closed on April 18, 2024, after an inspection found at least one 4 inch crack in the T-1 steel.[1] Its 65 miles from Gunnison to Montross. Detours were over 300 miles taking over 7 hours.[2] Cracks and critical issues in four areas of the bridge were identified that posed an imminent risk to its structural integrity.[3]
One lane of the bridge was reopened for travel on October 16, 2024. Vehicles were being piloted one direction at a time.[4] On December 6, 2025 two-way traffic was reopened.[5]
Final painting of the repairs was scheduled for May 2025.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "State and local entities working to open shorter local detours after Highway 50 bridge closure".
- ^ "Cracked Blue Mesa Reservoir bridge shuts down travel on US 50 to Gunnison". April 19, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ "CDOT announces US 50 Blue Mesa bridge repair plan" (Press release). Colorado Department of Transportation.
- ^ "US 50 Blue Mesa Bridge Reopens to All Traffic Wednesday, Oct. 16" (PDF) (Press release). Colorado Department of Transportation. October 11, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "US 50 Middle Bridge Openings Schedule" (Press release). Colorado Department of Transportation.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Middle Bridge (Colorado) at Wikimedia Commons
| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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- Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System
- Road bridges in Colorado
- Transportation buildings and structures in Gunnison County, Colorado
- U.S. Route 50
- Steel bridges in the United States
- Concrete bridges in Colorado
- Girder bridges in the United States
- Gunnison River
- Curecanti National Recreation Area