The long-awaited South Bridge Project in Glenwood Springs, designed to improve evacuation routes and reduce traffic congestion, took another step forward during Thursday’s City Council meeting. City engineer Ryan Gordon provided an update on the project’s design progress, addressing both opportunities and challenges in moving it closer to reality.

“We are moving ahead with design,” Gordon said. “We had a series of meetings with CDOT over the last couple of weeks to clarify some of the procedures. 

“This would be on some items to reduce scope, to maybe reduce some cost, and in the Highway 82 corridor, get verification on the procedures to move forward with the right of way purchase and the easement acquisition, and then lastly, to finalize the EEA documents.”

First proposed after the 2002 Coal Seam Fire, which burned 29 homes and more than 12,000 acres of land, the South Bridge Project aims to provide an additional evacuation route for residents while easing traffic congestion. It will connect Four Mile Road to Colorado Highway 82, running around the south side of the the city’s airport. While the project has secured federal and local funding, its estimated cost—currently hovering between $80 and $85 million—continues to be a source of concern for both city officials and residents.

Gordon mentioned that the city expects to reach 50% design completion by late October, which will help clarify the project’s scope and cost.

“At that point, we’ll have better information on total scope, little project costs, and we’ll have a better update on some of those things towards the end of November,” Gordon said, emphasizing that critical details would soon be more defined.

During public comment, Glenwood Springs resident Meryl Glickman questioned whether the large sound wall planned for the project was necessary, suggesting that something simpler might be more practical. 

“I don’t think everyone wants the big sound wall,” Glickman said. “Maybe just something that provides privacy and protection.”

Gordon responded, explaining that federal guidelines would ultimately determine whether a sound wall is required. 

“If the answer is yes, then we build the sound wall. If it’s no, then we get to decide what goes in there,” he said, noting that the environmental assessment process will play a key role in that decision.

Council member Erin Zalinski also raised concerns about how the project might affect traffic on South Midland. Gordon acknowledged that traffic patterns in the area would likely change but clarified that South Midland was not included in the project’s scope. 

“At some point, you have to end where you’re looking at,” Gordon explained, referring to the original project boundary set just south of the Four Mile roundabout.

As the South Bridge Project continues to progress, upcoming design milestones will give city officials a clearer understanding of the total cost and scope. 

“By the end of November, we should have much better concepts and ideas of where we stand,” Gordon said, pointing to discussions that will shape the final project.