Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose is CLOSED indefinitely.

folivier · April 19

Just a heads up, the bridge at Dillon Pinnacles on Hwy 50 that crosses the Blue Mesa Reservoir is now closed indefinitely. CDOT closed it yesterday due to problems with the bridge integrity after inspections yesterday. All that is known yet is there is no date for it to be open.

So anyone who is planning to travel that way on Hwy. 50 you won't be able to. As of now the detours are I-70 and Hwy 160.

Ray,IN · April 20

That would be at CO 149/US 50, right? Weathershare.org only shows heavy traffic there so far.

mike5511 · April 20

13 hours ago, folivier said:

Just a heads up, the bridge at Dillon Pinnacles on Hwy 50 that crosses the Blue Mesa Reservoir is now closed indefinitely. CDOT closed it yesterday due to problems with the bridge integrity after inspections yesterday. All that is known yet is there is no date for it to be open.

So anyone who is planning to travel that way on Hwy. 50 you won't be able to. As of now the detours are I-70 and Hwy 160.

It will be a few months for me. Maybe it will be open by then.

folivier · April 20

This is the bridge at Dillon Pinnacles which crosses the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Hwy 50 just west of Hwy 149. Note that there are currently NO local detours around the bridge. There are 2 local dirt roads they're currently working on clearing snow and repairing but will only allow cars and trucks when open and will probably be for locals only. Inspections showed a crack in a structural beam, no idea yet how long it'll take them to repair it or if there are other cracks. Here are a couple links for more info: https://www.codot.gov/news/media/overview?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0b3FK9P7Yz3U2BlKBRcTqIcqSeedhrDwP-Z5hj4_2VXe29NJjnMPLdbfA_aem_AYgQgPMVKABhenmS84yWH5lCc2-D-aOXYJ2xZhIlqM7eky9NxD9MW0uOmNT_aN6_jKHG0RGrOgDcq2GTFecpYslV

https://www.montrosepress.com/free_access/absolutely-no-traffic-can-cross-a-scramble-for-fixes-as-u-s-50-bridge-closure/article_ddbd4d82-fe96-11ee-8111-cf167ce1f169.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3wIJdYDXp4PbZtumZCW0TgOem_agRFJIUP_Kqyi1pK6-duR6UwtgKU0ho_aem_AR6TWThk_m7ZvdQ9OmaZZsqFDALWt3hN45ny8AekCtrjTOd6keKe2AZBN1SmuRWaYjjudcqM_o8uCraEOTr51VdX

Chalkie · April 20

Google maps is already up to date on the closure and showing two alternate routes. One via I-70/US-50 taking 5 hrs 51 mins or the other via US-550/US-160 taking 6 hrs 34 mins.

ms60ocb · April 22

Isn't this how life goes, you have lane and highway closures for several years a maybe 15 miles west. That project is winding down at this time, I believe

Those possible detours are graveled but many miles of dust and wash-board in the months ahead. A good chance to made those Toll roads giving locals a free pass and others a $XXX.xx toll.

Clay, My suggestion to limit traffic.

folivier · April 23

The county's plan is to limit traffic for now. Once a determination is made on what to do to repair or even replace the bridge (yes, that's a possibility) then they may blacktop that section so that the road will last. Gunnison will have severe impacts from this. Already the state has closed the DMV office.

There is another bridge that has the same T1 steel that they haven't inspected yet. If they close that one also that takes CR26 out of the picture since CR26 is between the 2 bridges. Crazy times.

mike5511 · April 24

I’m reconsidering my already planned and reserved trip in late September. We shall see.

folivier · April 24

At a zoom meeting last night it was disclosed they found more cracks on that bridge. Nothing yet on duration of closure or plans for repairing. They're still doing more intense inspections.