The Colorado Chapter of the American Public Works Association named the Washington Avenue Bridge Plaza Public Works Project of the Year in its annual awards program.

Over the summer, the Colorado office of Edward Kraemer & Sons completed construction on the $3.3-million bridge that is the focal point for many of the city’s civic activities. Kraemer worked closely with local community groups, the historical society and city officials to construct the precast concrete vehicular bridge and two pedestrian bridges that cross over Clear Creek.

The project dates back to 1982, when the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District completed a master flood plan for Clear Creek that identified the old bridge as a major barrier to flood waters. For the next 20 years, the city worked to make improvements along the creek corridor culminating with the master plan to rebuild the bridge.

The new structure accomplished the following five community goals: eliminate the flood barrier; provide trail crossings for bikers and pedestrians; create a creek- side park with views of the Clear Creek kayak course; and create an entrance to downtown that is as eye-catching as the historical buildings that line the downtown streets.

The project’s innovative design broke the bridge crossing into three separate structures including a pre-stressed concrete beam bridge and two cable-stayed pedestrian bridges.

This project also was awarded a Silver Hard Hat Award for Outstanding Heavy/Highway Project from a Colorado construction magazine in 2003.

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