Starting in early June, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin preserving the structural integrity of 21 timber bridges on various highways in El Paso, Park and Teller counties.
The purpose of the project is to extend the lifespans of the bridges by making needed reinforcements and upgrades to ensure the safety of the traveling public. The project has an expected duration of up to six months. Lobato Construction was selected as the prime contractor for the $1.8 million project.
Work will begin on U.S. 24 near Ramah in El Paso County and progress west, finishing along Colorado Highway 9 in Park County. Work includes making structural reinforcements by adding steel sister beams to damaged timber girders.
Timber bridges were built in primarily rural areas as a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing alternative to steel and concrete structures. Regular maintenance along with preservation measures will ensure the structures meet today's standards of load-bearing capacity, durability and longevity.
"Maintaining and preserving these rural bridges is critical for the safety of the traveling public," said CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson. "By reinforcing the girders with steel beams and adding other safety features, we can extend the lifespan of the structures for many years to come."
