(courtesy photo: BLM)
A routine inspection by a state bridge engineer has prompted the Fremont County Road and Bridge Department to reduce the load limits on a river bridge at Texas Creek that carries traffic to a popular public ATV recreation area.
Following a recent inspection by bridge engineers working for the Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT), it was recommended that the 11 ton load limit on the County Road 27 bridge over the Arkansas River at Texas Creek be reduced to a 3 1/2 ton limit. The bridge is located behind the Texas Creek Junction cafe and primarily carries traffic to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ATV recreation site and whitewater rafting traffic.
At issue is a forge mark on one of the steel trusses of the bridge that apparently has existed for some time. The bridge is believed to be over 100 years old. With new concerns about steel truss bridges, C-DOT is taking a second look at steel trusses that show indications of fatigue failure. A report to the county from C-DOT says that because they cannot guarantee the safety of the structure they recommend that repairs either be made or more tests conducted.
District 3 County Commissioner Ed Norden said county officials have spent the last several days examining the options. Norden said it was decided to hire an engineering specialist to conduct a series of tests on the steel truss in question to determine if repairs are needed. He said it's hoped the Commissioners can formally authorize a contract early next week to spend up to $5,000 on the testing.
In the meantime the Road and Bridge Department is emphasizing public safety and warning ATV and rafting enthusiasts to heed the new 3 1/2 ton load limit. Additional signage warning of the change to the bridge's load limits is being posted as the BLM anticipates lots of ATV users will head to Texas Creek for the Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends ahead.
Following a recent inspection by bridge engineers working for the Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT), it was recommended that the 11 ton load limit on the County Road 27 bridge over the Arkansas River at Texas Creek be reduced to a 3 1/2 ton limit. The bridge is located behind the Texas Creek Junction cafe and primarily carries traffic to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ATV recreation site and whitewater rafting traffic.
At issue is a forge mark on one of the steel trusses of the bridge that apparently has existed for some time. The bridge is believed to be over 100 years old. With new concerns about steel truss bridges, C-DOT is taking a second look at steel trusses that show indications of fatigue failure. A report to the county from C-DOT says that because they cannot guarantee the safety of the structure they recommend that repairs either be made or more tests conducted.
District 3 County Commissioner Ed Norden said county officials have spent the last several days examining the options. Norden said it was decided to hire an engineering specialist to conduct a series of tests on the steel truss in question to determine if repairs are needed. He said it's hoped the Commissioners can formally authorize a contract early next week to spend up to $5,000 on the testing.
In the meantime the Road and Bridge Department is emphasizing public safety and warning ATV and rafting enthusiasts to heed the new 3 1/2 ton load limit. Additional signage warning of the change to the bridge's load limits is being posted as the BLM anticipates lots of ATV users will head to Texas Creek for the Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends ahead.