I-70 bridges near Parachute to be repaired after damage by truck

By Dennis Webb
December 5, 2007

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PARACHUTE - The Colorado Department of Transportation this month will repair the first of two bridges that were damaged by an over-height truck traveling on Interstate 70 in June.

Work on the I-70 bridge in Parachute will begin Dec. 10 and continue through the end of the month, weather permitting.

CDOT plans to repair the other damaged bridge in April. That bridge is a mile and one half east of Parachute.

CDOT spokesperson Nancy Shanks said the June 27 incident did not damage the structural integrity of the bridges or affect their safety ratings.

The bridges were damaged by a westbound concrete company truck that was pulling a trailer with a track hoe on it, Shanks said. She didn't know the name of the company.

CDOT plans to pay for the repairs and then seek compensation from the company. The agency has contracted with Restruction Corp. for $48,700 for the Parachute bridge work. Work on the other bridge is expected to cost about $30,000.

Shanks said the Parachute bridge damage occurred at about the centerline of westbound I-70, so the repair work will affect both westbound lanes of the highway. About three girders out of seven were hit, requiring fixing or replacement of horizontal tension cables and cosmetic concrete repairs.

During this month's repairs, westbound traffic will be impacted between mile markers 74.6 and 76, Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The speed limit through the area will be reduced from 75 mph to 45 mph during working hours.

Motorists also can expect some impacts before and after work hours as traffic control is being set up and taken down.



Contact Dennis Webb: 384-9119

dwebb@postindependent.com



Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO