The Thompson Creek Bridge contractor obtained concrete earlier than expected, and crews completed the pouring of the north side lane of the CR 108 bridge Thursday. The concrete is one of three layers that will make up the driving surface of the bridge; the others are a waterproof membrane to protect the steel, and finally new asphalt. Workers are now starting removal of the original asphalt from the south side of the bridge over the previously worn steel decking.

The pedestrian walkway remains open over the CR 108 bridge, though temporary delays may occur to ensure public safety near welding, active machinery, and equipment.

Detour routes for the Glenwood Springs side include County Road 109 to Highway 82 near Ironbridge/Westbank; or Dry Park Road to County Road 117 (Four Mile) to Glenwood Springs. Carbondale traffic is recommended to use highways 133 and 82.

Email updates are available from online posts at garfieldcountynews.org or visit garfieldcountyco.gov, the main county website.

ConSy workers expanded steel installation progress Wednesday, completing welding and bolting down the final sections of the north side decking of the CR 108 Thompson Creek bridge.

In addition, base level concrete was applied to half of the new decking material to fill in the ridges. Thursday, workers will start removal of the asphalt from the south side of the bridge. The rest of the concrete for the north side will be delivered early next week.

The pedestrian walkway remains open over the CR 108 bridge, though temporary delays may occur to ensure public safety near welding, active machinery, and equipment.

Detour routes for the Glenwood Springs side include County Road 109 to Highway 82 near Ironbridge/Westbank; or Dry Park Road to County Road 117 (Four Mile) to Glenwood Springs. Carbondale traffic is recommended to use highways 133 and 82.

Email updates are available from online posts at garfieldcountynews.org and garfieldcountyco.gov the main county website.

The CR108 Thompson Creek bridge is closed to vehicle traffic for the next few phases of repairs.

Crews are preparing deconstruction of the old deck, which makes up the structural aspect of the driving lanes of the bridge. Some areas have already been cut out to access girder attachments, and the entire deck will be removed and a new one installed.

After the steel deck arrives, equipment will have to work from one lane over to the other side where installation is occurring. This precludes vehicle travel across it.

The county allocated funds and purchased the materials on an emergency basis to speed the process. New, thicker, 7-gauge steel decking is expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks, and was fabricated and purchased in the United States.

The timeline of repairs is dependent on steel material delivery, weather for asphalt application, and speed of crews for installation. The county’s goal remains to reopen it as soon as safely possible.

The pedestrian bridge is expected to remain open at almost any time, and extra welding is shoring it up to sustain it during the work phases. There may be times when welding or other work is occurring on the walkway side, such as when lifting the steel plates off the structure and new ones into place, when it will be prudent to wait a few minutes for safe passage.

Updates will be posted on the county website at garfieldcountyco.gov, and residents may subscribe to email updates at garfieldcountynews.org.

Crews continued clearing the bridge deck of asphalt in the damaged lane, and began detailed measurements of the steel deck to place the order. The deck will be increased in thickness to sustain the heavier traffic using it now to 7-gauge industrial steel. The steel is manufactured in the United States, and will provide a long lasting fix to the approximately 75-year old bridge.

Crews also are currently removing concrete from the bottom of the north wall of the bridge to make it flush with the deck. A small section of decking has been removed to assess the center beam. More barriers were added to the center line to wall off the construction zone.

The county is striving to keep the pedestrian bridge open to the public. Cutting of metal and welding is planned in coming days along the pedestrian walkway side of the bridge to shore it up while the deck construction is addressed. Pedestrians should be cautious when crossing the bridge.

The bridge is open in one lane with traffic light switching currently, but will close for the main construction in a couple of weeks when the deck is removed and the new deck is installed.

Updates will be broadcast before 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays on KMTS 99.1. Subscribe to email notifications at Garfield County news in the upper right side menu, or visit the main Garfield County website.

One lane of traffic is available during emergency repair design work

May 15 UPDATE – The weight restriction on the County Road 108 bridge being limited to less than 24,000 pounds.

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County is temporarily reopening one lane of the bridge over the Crystal River on County Road 108 (Thompson Creek Road) near Carbondale while emergency repair options are assessed. For the open lane, vehicle traffic is limited to less than 24,000 pounds (UPDATED from 54,000), and no oversized or commercial semis are allowed. Stop lights are in place to regulate the flow of traffic. The pedestrian bridge is also open alongside the bridge.

Oddo Engineering and Con-Sy, Inc. construction contractors are looking at several repair options and will provide estimated costs to the county.

A large pothole appeared on the structure earlier this spring, and construction crews from Con-Sy removed asphalt from the bridge May 12, to get a better view of the decking. The corrugated metal decking showed corrosion and some eroded welds, which led to a “bounce” when vehicles passed over the bridge.

“Our top priority is the safety of the community. We are expediting repairs to get the road back open as quickly as possible for public use,” said Garfield County Road & Bridge Director Scott Marsh. 

Variable message boards are located on State Highway 133 in Carbondale; along County Roads 108 and 109; and at the junction of Dry Park and Four Mile roads to keep commuters updated on the current situation. Garfield County Road and Bridge staff is conducting traffic control during the repairs.

Updates are available on Garfield County’s website and at garfieldcountynews.org.