Certain large commercial vehicles will soon be prohibited on the historic bridge over Red Cliff on U.S. Highway 24, between Minturn and Leadville.
9 News reports on the latest inspection by CDOT, showing the steel on that bridge is thinning. This means loads over 34 tons could be too much for the bridge, which was built in the 1940s and towers 209 feet over the riverbed below.
“The load restrictions are intended to extend the bridge’s lifespan while CDOT plans for a rehabilitation project with the goal of removing the load restriction in the future,” 9 News reports.
What is eating away at the steel? Natural corrosion, CDOT says. It is inspected every two years for weak points. Engineers are confident it remains safe for most of the traveling public.
This restriction on large CMVs might cause occasional headaches in the winter, when U.S. 24 is a detour for I-70.