Montrose, Gunnison, and Hinsdale Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced the partial reopening of the US 50 Blue Mesa Middle Bridge starting at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3. This reopening, timed ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, allows emergency vehicles and smaller passenger vehicles to cross the bridge, facilitating improved access and boosting local tourism.
“CDOT anticipates delivering on our goal of opening the Blue Mesa Middle Bridge to limited traffic ahead of July 4,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We continue to work towards completing needed repairs ahead of winter. Over the holiday weekend, the bridge will be open for 12 hours a day, which we hope encourages tourism in this area as these communities are still very much open for business. Starting on July 8, we will settle into a twice-a-day opening schedule to allow crews to continue to work on repairs throughout the day.”
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Holiday Weekend Schedule and Details
From July 3 to July 7, the bridge will be accessible for one lane of traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, with pilot cars leading traffic at slow speeds in alternating directions. After the holiday weekend, beginning July 8, the bridge will open twice daily: from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Approved vehicles for crossing include:
- Passenger vehicles
- Pickup trucks
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Emergency vehicles
Vehicles required to use the County Road 26 detour include:
- RVs/Campers
- Motorhomes
- Trucks pulling trailers
- Semi-trucks
- Buses
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Upcoming Public Meeting and Community Engagement
To discuss the reopening schedule and ongoing repair work, CDOT will host a public meeting on Tuesday, July 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gunnison County Courthouse. An online option will be available for virtual participation. Additionally, CDOT team members will provide refreshments to motorists at the closure points starting at 6:30 a.m. on July 3.
Progress on Repairs
CDOT crews have completed the first phase of critical repairs on the bottom flange of the bridge, addressing areas at imminent risk to structural integrity. They are now preparing the bridge deck for traffic on July 3 and planning further repairs on the top flange starting July 8, with comprehensive bottom flange repairs scheduled for August.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Lake Fork Bridge Lane Closures
Meanwhile, CDOT will implement lane closures on the Lake Fork Bridge from June 28 to July 1 for strain gauge sensor installation. This work is essential for monitoring the bridge’s structural response to traffic and construction activities.
Alternate Routes and Travel Advisories
County Road 26 remains open as a detour, along with Kebler Pass for the season. CDOT advises travelers to use alternative state highways, such as I-70 and US 160, to minimize congestion on local routes. For the latest travel information, motorists are encouraged to visit COtrip.org or use the COtrip Planner app.
For more details and updates on the US 50 Blue Mesa Middle Bridge project, visit CDOT’s project page or contact the hotline at 970-648-4423.
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