US50 West of Gunnison, CO Closed

dlee56

dlee56

WKR
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Messages
1,082
Location
Colorado
A very early warning for folks coming in from out of state or just out of town, one of the key bridges over Blue Mesa Reservoir is closed due to some cracks in the girders. Detours can add 6-7 hours at the moment and shorter dirt road detours are being reserved for local commuters only right now. It’s shaping up to be a long ordeal that could last through the hunting season so if you’re normally in this neck of the woods or traveling this way start planning for another route.

https://www.9news.com/article/news/...ridge/73-aae78ffc-d6d5-4e39-bd36-4f830bfdbf7e
 
Good call. I’ll bet it’s going to be a long closure. They found more cracks in the steel .

As of 4-27 they are moving equipment in to do a more detailed inspection of the steel supports. I bet they fix it before September.

There’s kids riding a boat from the marina side over to the bus stop.
 
Last edited:
11boo said:
Good call. I’ll bet it’s going to be a long closure. They found more cracks in the steel .

As of 4-27 they are moving equipment in to do a more detailed inspection of the steel supports. I bet they fix it before September.

There’s kids riding a boat from the marina side over to the bus stop.
Click to expand...
I hope you're right, I'm planning on being on that around October 1st.....
 
Be interesting if they don’t have it open by hunt seasons, would they let hunters use the “limited use” detour. I wouldn’t count on it.
 
I welded up some bridges on I90 around superior Montana years ago. That was a fun job. 3 guys standing over my shoulder the whole time.
 
Wrench said:
I welded up some bridges on I90 around superior Montana years ago. That was a fun job. 3 guys standing over my shoulder the whole time.
Click to expand...
There are some definite cracks that look fixable on that bridge. I would hope they can repair it then figure out if they need a new one.
 
The job I got called in on was a contractor who was hired to cut the deck....but cut clear through the top chord of the girders.

State inspector, federal inspector, contractor insurance and the cwi all on their stop watches.

Fun time$.
 
The issue is that welds weren’t inspected back when this bridge was build (1964ish) and so there’s issues in the welds themselves. They have to abate the coating, inspect each weld, use ultrasonic testing to inspect inside each weld, and weld plates under each crack they find. They’ve found several cracks and they have over 300 welds yet to inspect. Could be a while on the govt clock.
 
Any update on this? Im trying to get a scouting trip in for 53 and will be trying to come through there in a month.
 
Mturney said:
Any update on this? Im trying to get a scouting trip in for 53 and will be trying to come through there in a month.
Click to expand...
Check CDOT website for updates but as of now they are allowing traffic through at certain times each day. limited to single vehicles... no trailers.
 
svivian said:
Check CDOT website for updates but as of now they are allowing traffic through at certain times each day. limited to single vehicles... no trailers.
Click to expand...
I'm fairly certain I saw a truck with a trailer coming east through the cdot checkpoint when I took the turn to 149 this week. Just an FYI.
 
LongWayAround said:
I think it was an empty flatbed. Maybe that's why they let it through?
Click to expand...
who knows with CDOT. Im dreading when they open County rd 25 up as we use that to access our property up there. Right now its in excellent condition with their improvements.
 
Here is the site for you, (at this time) don't expect it open any time soon. this route has been a mess for the last three summers with the road construction in the canyon to Montrose.

COtrip Traveler Information Map

Reports regarding traffic incidents, winter road conditions, traffic cameras, active and planned construction, etc.
maps.cotrip.org maps.cotrip.org
 
Thanks for the post fellas! Looks like I should be able to hit 149 and still my unit but that closure could easily burn a full day for someone. I would of never thought to look at main highway road conditions for September :ROFLMAO:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Featured Video

Latest Articles

Back
Top