US 50 emergency closure

[Chicago Transplant]

Not sure this news has made to the front range yet. US 50 is closed for emergency bridge repair along blue mesa reservoir. Sign on 70 says MM 131-148. . Looks like it's closed starting at the turnoff to lake City west. No ETA on reopening, signage says to expect it be an extended closure. If it's a bridge repair emergency this may be weeks so plan accordingly and check CDOT

[SnowAlien]

It's true. I just got turned around. No ETA on reopening according to the crew. Closed as of yesterday.

[Bombay2Boulder]

Some more details here- https://coloradosun.com/2024/04/19/us-5 ... -montrose/

[Kiefer]

The county is trying to get 26 (Lake City Cutoff) open by Monday. They're currently plowing, compacting and laying down gravel. It'll be open in the am and pm with two pilot cars directing traffic.
The crack in the girder extends through the pillar. They might end up replacing the entire bridge.
The closure is at 50/149 (Lake City turn) and near the 26 (Blue Mesa Cutoff) turn.
Since the East Bridge is of the same construction, inspectors are also scrutinizing that one too.

[TheAlpineApe]

Does anyone know if 149 is open from Lake City to Gunnison or is that bridge closed as well?

[dwoodward13]

Does anyone know if 149 is open from Lake City to Gunnison or is that bridge closed as well?

It’s open, but the Colorado Sun article alluded to them needing to inspect a bridge of the same design as Middle Bridge just down the road and from memory the Lake City one looks very similar.

Hopefully there won’t be any issues, but there is also a reason the FHA was requiring inspections of this particular bridge design.

[ReginaThomas]

Does anyone know if 149 is open from Lake City to Gunnison or is that bridge closed as well?

It’s open, but the Colorado Sun article alluded to them needing to inspect a bridge of the same design as Middle Bridge just down the road and from memory the Lake City one looks very similar.

Hopefully there won’t be any issues, but there is also a reason the FHA was requiring inspections of this particular bridge design.

Kiefer and I watched the meeting last night since we live in Gunni now… couple updates
1.) The Lake city bridge has been inspected and it passed.
2.) 149 is open between Gunni and Lake city
3.) This is expected to be an extended closure event. The counties are working on improving CR 26 to allow for more traffic but it is currently 30 mins am and 30 mins PM due to road improvements needed and the Gunnison sage grouse (endangered) mating season. They are also working on plowing 5+ feet of snow on Kebler Pass (and allowing it to dry out) to allow for additional traffic.

[HikerGuy]

Does anyone know if 149 is open from Lake City to Gunnison or is that bridge closed as well?

It’s open, but the Colorado Sun article alluded to them needing to inspect a bridge of the same design as Middle Bridge just down the road and from memory the Lake City one looks very similar.

Hopefully there won’t be any issues, but there is also a reason the FHA was requiring inspections of this particular bridge design.

Kiefer and I watched the meeting last night since we live in Gunni now… couple updates
1.) The Lake city bridge has been inspected and it passed.
2.) 149 is open between Gunni and Lake city
3.) This is expected to be an extended closure event. The counties are working on improving CR 26 to allow for more traffic but it is currently 30 mins am and 30 mins PM due to road improvements needed and the Gunnison sage grouse (endangered) mating season. They are also working on plowing 5+ feet of snow on Kebler Pass (and allowing it to dry out) to allow for additional traffic.

Thanks for the update!

[Monster5]

This is why tunnels are better than bridges. We should tunnel it.

[supranihilest]

3.) This is expected to be an extended closure event. The counties are working on improving CR 26 to allow for more traffic but it is currently 30 mins am and 30 mins PM due to road improvements needed and the Gunnison sage grouse (endangered) mating season.

Here are some details including open/closed times: https://www.kktv.com/2024/04/24/colorad ... 0-closure/

[ReginaThomas]

3.) This is expected to be an extended closure event. The counties are working on improving CR 26 to allow for more traffic but it is currently 30 mins am and 30 mins PM due to road improvements needed and the Gunnison sage grouse (endangered) mating season.

Here are some details including open/closed times: https://www.kktv.com/2024/04/24/colorad ... 0-closure/

I should have added that! Thanks for having my back Ben!!

I will add that they did state in the meeting that open and closed times are subject to change. I suggest following Gunnison Regional 911 Center on Facebook if you have it as they are updating in real time there too!

[Wentzl]

Anyone planning travel between Gunnison and Montrose should keep this in mind. Here is the latest on using the Lake City cutoff. 4 times per day a pilot car will lead cars back and forth. Check the times and direction of travel. Better yet, avoid the detour if you can:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/05/01/loca ... 50-bridge/