Pitkin County Replaces Redstone South Bridge for $4.7 Million

$4.7 million — that's the price tag for the Redstone South Bridge replacement project. Pitkin County engineer Andrew Knapp confirms the project is on schedule. The old bridge is gone — completely removed.

Construction crews worked from the river, using a raised platform to catch debris and hold equipment. High water levels, caused by unseasonably high temperatures in March, forced crews to raise their platforms. The river peaked at 400 cubic feet per second on March 27, before decreasing.

Pitkin County is offering an early completion bonus, $2,000 per day, up to $50,000, if the project is finished before September 4. The contractor, Myers and Sons, will get the payout for each day they finish early, up to 25 days.

The old bridge was one of the oldest in Pitkin County; it had reached the end of its service life. The mid-river pier was a problem, catching debris and causing issues. The new bridge will be different - no pier in the water, just a free-spanning design.

The next step is installing micropiles to support the bridge on either side of the river. That work starts this week.

Redstone is still accessible, but only by car via Redstone Boulevard. one way in and out. Pedestrians can use a bridge near the Elk Park parking lot.

The new bridge will be safer, that's the goal. The old one was a hazard, and its removal is a step forward. Make no mistake, this project is a priority for Pitkin County.

The early completion bonus is worth watching; it could save taxpayers money in the long run. The short version: finish early, get paid.

Pitkin County is not saying much about the potential risks of the project - like environmental impacts or construction delays. The county is focused on the benefits, like improved safety and a newer, better bridge.

Read that again: $4.7 million. That's what this project will cost. The community will be watching to see if it's worth it.

Construction Details

The micropile installation is a critical step. it will provide the foundation for the new bridge. The process involves drilling into the ground and inserting steel pipes, then filling them with concrete. This will create a stable base for the bridge.

The new bridge design is an improvement over the old one, no pier in the water means less debris accumulation and fewer problems. The free-spanning design is a better choice for this location, according to Knapp.

The project timeline is tight; crews need to finish by September 4 to get the full bonus. The county is counting on them to deliver.

Locals are waiting to see the finished product - a safer, better bridge. The community is invested in this project, and they want to see it done right.

Folks around here know the importance of safe infrastructure. they're willing to pay for it. The question is, what will happen if the replacement doesn't meet expectations?

The county is not talking about the potential downsides; like cost overruns or construction delays. They're focused on the benefits, and that's understandable. But the community needs to know what's at stake.

The replacement project is a big deal - it's a significant investment in local infrastructure. The community is watching, and they expect results.

This will cost taxpayers $4.7 million. That's a fact. What's not clear is what will happen if the project doesn't deliver. The community will be waiting to see if the new bridge is worth the cost.