YOUR AD HERE »

Letter: Let’s seize opportunities of new bridge

The new bridge projects offer a new vision for our town to flourish. We just reclaimed the beautiful coming together of our two rivers from its use as a sewer plant. This and the new vehicle bridge alignment present opportunities for a more pedestrian community and to solve the real world impacts on the downtown.

Bypassing Sixth Street from the Village Inn to the Hotel Colorado, the new vehicle bridge provides a more efficient access and egress to I-70. Removing through traffic for two blocks on Sixth Street creates a pedestrian-friendly opportunity for new development. The new pedestrian bridge will be handicapped-accessible, making the pedestrian experience available to even more people. The new bridges draw attention to the need for an Eighth Street connection to downtown and another bridge from Midland to Highway 82 south of the airport. We have a remarkable opportunity for constructive change. Let’s take it.

After the past three years of a citizen-input process, we have designated replacement of the existing Grand Avenue Bridge and a new alignment for Highway 82. CDOT, the city and the Downtown Development Authority provided leadership and guidance and listened to the diverse voices of our community. Most of us want an alternative route for Highway 82, but not by sacrificing the bridge project.



Let’s take responsibility for the past 50 years of debate and recognize how we all got here on our own. The existing bridge is dangerous and structurally deficient. A new bridge is our best next step. It is not an either/or choice. We are lucky to have the funds available. Few communities have the money. Nationally, it is a multibillion-dollar problem. Reluctance to accept the new bridge is an unwillingness to adapt to the reality of our time.

Please go to City Hall and look at the study model on display, and then stop by the new Glenwood Springs Library and review the Environmental Assessment of the project. Go to the CDOT website and express your thoughts. It’s a bright new future, you better wear shades.



Carol and David Hauter

Glenwood Springs


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.