Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose is CLOSED indefinitely.

[folivier]

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]

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

[mike5511]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[folivier]

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.

 

[folivier]

The bridge inspection is still ongoing but the detour on CR 26 is working out nicely. We drove it today in our car but they're allowing RV's and trailers also. It is a dirt road with some chipseal and a few areas that have ongoing work.

 

[Chalkie]

Well, that is some progress. I wonder what is special about Wednesdays?

[folivier]

I guess they're allowing more time on Wednesdays in case they need more work to keep the road surface up. Most was chip sealed but there were numerous sections with fresh rock so apparently they're dressing up these areas between openings. Probably caused because of wet areas from snow melt.  It snowed last night, about 4" so far so that'll cause minor problems with the road surface then when the rain comes same problems.

I did see them turn away an 18 wheeler. Guess unless it's a local delivery they won't let them through. RV's of all sizes were getting through.  The campgrounds on Hwy 50 at Blue Mesa reservoir are open and accessible. There were quite a few already set up. So the lake is accessible from both sides.

[mike5511]

I'll be going around. No dirt road for me.

[folivier]

Dirt road is what I consider a misnomer. It's actually crushed rock and has a somewhat sealed surface (not sure if it's chip seal or something else). Very little dust and hard fairly smooth surface.

UPDATE:  bridge is projected (fingers crossed) to be partially open by July 4th with limitations. No word yet on what limits, probably no heavy traffic, 18 wheelers, etc. 

[Chalkie]

1 hour ago, folivier said:

Dirt road is what I consider a misnomer. It's actually crushed rock and has a somewhat sealed surface (not sure if it's chip seal or something else). Very little dust and hard fairly smooth surface.

UPDATE:  bridge is projected (fingers crossed) to be partially open by July 4th with limitations. No word yet on what limits, probably no heavy traffic, 18 wheelers, etc. 

If it is anything like what Chaffee County does on the higher traffic county roads, the road is treated with Mag Chloride which is very good at keeping down the dust. I hate driving on the treated roads though when wet as the stuff that splashes up is almost like concrete when it comes to getting it cleaned off.