Castle Oaks bridge repair, downtown water infrastructure and upcoming work outlined by staff

Town staff briefed the council Sept. 16 on a required repair to a bridge on Castle Oaks Drive and on downtown water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure needs.

Castle Oaks Drive bridge repair

Public works staff said corrosion and cracking have been identified in corrugated metal deck material under the roadway; short-term patching has failed and a full deck replacement is needed. The town plans a focused repair with the goal of limiting the closure to Oct. 11'Oct. 28, timed to coincide with Douglas County's fall break to reduce traffic impact.

Dan (staff member) described the work: crews will remove pavement, replace the corrugated metal deck with a concrete top and repave the surface; the project requires a temporary full closure and a detour route will be in place. Staff said the police and fire departments had reviewed response plans and the town intends to provide mailed notices, social media and an open house to reach residents. "Our intention is to try to get in there on October 11 ... and work 7 days a week until the contractor can finish," Dan said.

Downtown water, sewer and stormwater briefing

Mark Marlowe and Castle Rock Water staff described downtown as one of the system's oldest served areas, noted the existing peaking factors (downtown irrigation peaking at about 1.6; elsewhere nearly 4) and walked council through piping ages and locations. Staff described two primary water feeds into downtown, identified valves due for replacement and noted a planned Front Street water main project (roughly $3.5 million) that will add redundancy and a third feed.

Marlowe also identified vitrified clay sewer pipe and older corrugated metal storm systems downtown as areas where replacement and rehabilitation work is needed. The town has finished design for the front-street project and scheduled construction next year; staff said nighttime work and closures will be required in some places and that grease interceptors remain an issue for some restaurant conversions (those that are grandfathered will need to retrofit if ownership or use changes).

Why it matters

The Castle Oaks bridge repair is a time-sensitive public-safety and mobility project with an initial schedule in mid-October. Downtown infrastructure projects aim to maintain levels of service for fire flow, sanitary conveyance and stormwater; staff said the projects include identified funding and will be coordinated with redevelopment as practical.

What council asked

Council asked about mailed notice for residents without social media and about weather contingency days in the repair schedule. Staff confirmed flash notice plans and said a few weather days are built into the contractor schedule.