CDOT to Begin US 24 Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Chaffee County

Highlights

• The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin bridge improvements on US 24 on Aug. 3.
• ABCO Contracting Inc. is the construction contractor for the project.
• Work includes repairs to bridges over the Arkansas River and Trout Creek in Chaffee County.
• Traffic will be reduced to alternating single-lane operations with 24/7 restrictions through mid-September.
• The regional bridge maintenance program is expected to conclude in early October 2026.

Bridge preservation projects continue to support the long-term reliability of Colorado's transportation network by extending the service life of aging structures. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin rehabilitation work on two US Highway 24 bridges in Chaffee County as part of a broader regional bridge maintenance program.

Bridge Repair Program

Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 3 on the US 24 bridge over the Arkansas River in Johnson Village. ABCO Contracting Inc. will perform repairs that include bridge deck rehabilitation, expansion joint replacement, asphalt overlay installation, bridge rail improvements and new pavement markings.

After work at the Arkansas River bridge is completed, crews will move approximately eight miles east to the US 24 bridge over Trout Creek. Planned improvements include repairs to bridge pier caps and columns, replacement of approach rails, asphalt patching and pavement marking restoration.

The bridge rehabilitation program also included maintenance work on the US 160 bridge over the Rio Grande River in Alamosa, which was completed in late July.

Traffic Restrictions Through Fall

Motorists should expect alternating single-lane traffic controlled by temporary signals, along with periodic full stops and delays of up to 20 minutes during construction.

A 15-foot vehicle width restriction will remain in effect at the Arkansas River bridge through mid-September. Daytime construction activities are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, although traffic control measures will remain in place around the clock.

CDOT noted that construction schedules may be adjusted if emergency response activities or wildfire conditions require changes.

Why It Matters

Preventive bridge maintenance helps transportation agencies extend infrastructure life while reducing the need for more extensive future rehabilitation or replacement. For construction owners, transportation contractors and infrastructure stakeholders, the US 24 project reflects continued investment in preserving critical highway assets and maintaining reliable regional transportation corridors.

Source: Colorado Department Of Transportation.