As the four recent mayors of Glenwood Springs, we come from different backgrounds and eras of service, but we are unified in one strong conviction: it is time to build South Bridge.

City Council took a vote at their last meeting that they were told would lead to the forfeiture of a $50 million federal grant for this project. The vote was simply about the location of the tolling cameras as the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) indicated that any tolling occurring on the bridge was a significant change from the grant application that was submitted three years ago, and would not be approved. To be clear, if Council chooses to toll the bridge, they are still able to do so by simply shifting the tolling cameras several hundred yards away and off the federally funded portion. 

South Bridge creates a critical second route for the nearly 1,000 households in the South Glenwood area— including residents along Four Mile — who currently rely on a single, congested access point via Midland Avenue. In the event of a wildfire, flood, or other emergency, this creates a dangerous bottleneck that puts lives at risk. It also provides a direct route to Colorado Highway 82 for those South Glenwood and 4-Mile residents. South Bridge would help reduce congestion on Midland and Grand Avenue, improve traffic flow through town, and lessen wear on aging roadways. It also creates a safer and more efficient pathway for school buses, emergency vehicles, and local traffic.

This connection will not be a bypass as the city will be able to toll traffic going to the bridge (if they so elect) to discourage these traffic movements. Other tools to discourage bypass traffic are raised walkways, speed humps, additional roundabouts, speed cameras and a road designed for slowing traffic. A toll is simply one tool in a suite of options to influence traffic. 

For the last 30 years, this project was envisioned without a toll. When the Rural Surface Transportation Grant was written 3 years ago, no one mentioned a toll, and therefore, it was not included in the grant. The idea of a toll was raised only a year ago, but for some members of council, it is somehow now such a critical component that they are willing to sacrifice a $50 million grant. And again…. we can still choose a toll if we would like at a slightly different location. 

The City currently has $70 million of the $85 million project cost raised. We still have regional partners, CDOT, and Garfield County to finalize their funding commitments. We trust the FHWA when they tell us that they will not award us the $50 million grant if we place a toll directly on the project. We cannot play this high-stakes game of chicken with this amount of outside money. To do so is reckless. We urge our community and its leaders to be more judicious and thoughtful before picking a fight we can only lose. We thank our current Mayor, Marco Dehm, for his steadfast leadership that reflect both the continued community support for the bridge, and his understanding of the grave consequences of rejecting $50 million for the community.   

Every mayor over the past 20 years has spent countless hours lobbying our elected representatives locally, and with numerous trips to Washington D.C. The community overwhelmingly supported the project when they voted for funding South Bridge via the A&I renewal in 2016. Since then, we have only had drier summers and more wildfires. We caught lightning in a bottle by having this project nearly shovel-ready when the once-in-a-lifetime trillion-dollar federal Infrastructure and Investment Act was passed in 2021. This opportunity will not come again, and it certainly won’t go to Glenwood if we don’t honor the application and terms of the grant that we crafted. 

We’ve all had the honor of serving this city and witnessing its growth and resilience. We know Glenwood Springs is a place where people care deeply about their neighbors and their environment. Supporting South Bridge is a way to protect both.

Let’s say yes to the $50 million grant. Let’s build the bridge. Let’s protect our people. Let’s invest in the future of Glenwood Springs.

Sincerely,

Ingrid Wussow, Mayor of Glenwood Springs (2023–2025)

Jonathan Godes, Mayor of Glenwood Springs (2019–2023)

Matt Steckler, Mayor of Glenwood Springs (2013–2015)

Leo McKinney, Mayor of Glenwood Springs (2011–2013)