Pitkin County details Redstone South Bridge replacement, detour plan and outreach

Pitkin County officials and their consultant on July 8 presented a 90%-level design and construction plan for the Redstone South Bridge replacement, including removal of the existing center pier, a new 10-foot sidewalk on the downstream side and a detour that will route traffic over the North Bridge.

County Engineer Andrew Knapp said the new span “will no longer have a center pier in the middle of the Crystal River” and that the project will “be adding a 10 foot sidewalk to the downstream side of the bridge,” noting Open Space and Trails will help fund the wider sidewalk because the crossing is on the Redstone–McClure Pass trail alignment. Design consultant Mark Freimoyer of SGM said the team has advanced plans to roughly 90% and intends to advertise bids this fall.

Why it matters: the existing center pier is a river hazard, the sidewalk closes a gap in pedestrian access in Redstone, and the detour and construction period will significantly affect local circulation, businesses and school transportation during spring and summer.

Most important facts

- Schedule: staff described a design finish this fall, advertisement for construction this fall, a goal to have a contractor under contract by January, demolition beginning in early March, and a typical construction season running roughly April through October. (Mark Freimoyer)

- Alignment and structure: the bridge will be replaced on the existing alignment as a free-spanning structure (no mid-river pier) using concrete box girders and a modern, crash-tested…