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 dog-house–style concrete railing. (Andrew Knapp)

- Pedestrian access: a 10-foot sidewalk will be added on the downstream side of the bridge; Open Space and Trails is contributing to that element because it is on a planned trail alignment. (Andrew Knapp)

- Detour and traffic: the principal detour routes traffic across the North Bridge as a one-way-in/one-way-out flow. Additional options include signage directing drivers to Elk Park parking with pedestrian access across the Elk Park bridge and limited overflow parking for major events. SGM has evaluated vehicle swept paths and expects the detour to accommodate passenger vehicles, pickups and some single-unit trucks but not large tractor-trailers. (Mark Freimoyer, SGM)

- Environmental/permitting review: staff said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct permitting for in‑stream work and will engage National Park Service review for possible Wild and Scenic River eligibility; the Forest Service provided a courtesy review and noted the design reduces wetlands impacts and removes the mid-river pier. (Andrew Knapp)

- Aesthetics and public outreach: staff presented three finish options (concrete gray, redstone-red and a weathering-brown/iron-oxide tone) and a picture of the dog‑house railing already installed elsewhere. They plan another round of public outreach: a Crystal River Caucus meeting, an open house at Elk Park and a meeting with the Redstone Community Association. (Andrew Knapp)

- Safety and design details: the dog‑house railing will meet current crash‑test standards; the pedestrian openings are six inches, and railing height will be 42 inches. Staff noted the new design coating will be used for longevity whether in color or gray. (Design team)

- Construction management: staff proposed encouraging earlier completion via a contractual early-completion incentive and discussed liquidated damages as the opposite tool. The team suggested an early-incentive budget around $50,000 total, with examples of daily incentives ($2,000–$5,000 per day) used to motivate contractors to shorten duration; commissioners asked whether those funds would be better spent on mitigation measures for residents (shuttles, traffic control, signage). (Mark Freimoyer, Andrew Knapp)

Discussion highlights and outstanding issues

- Detour impacts: commissioners and staff discussed pedestrian safety on Redstone Boulevard (where there is no continuous sidewalk), emergency access, and contractor routing; staff said they anticipate much demolition traffic to use the west side of the river and suggested limiting contractor access through town. (Greg; Mark Freimoyer)

- Large vehicles and school buses: SGM’s swept-path analysis showed the detour route will not comfortably accommodate large tractor-trailers; school-bus routing is under review with Roaring Fork School District and Marble Charter School. Staff said bus operators have multiple stops on the boulevard and that routing all students to Elk Park would create unacceptably long walks for some students. (Mark Freimoyer)

- River resources and Wild and Scenic review: staff told the board the Army Corps’ permitting will trigger a National Park Service Wild and Scenic review; the Forest Service provided a courtesy review and highlighted that the project reduces in‑river hazards and seeks to minimize wetland disturbance. (Andrew Knapp)

- Public outreach and color selection: staff will present the color and railing options at scheduled public outreach events (Crystal River Caucus session, Elk Park open house and Redstone Community Association meeting). The board agreed to defer final color selection until after outreach and warned the public that paint options age and may vary over time. (Board discussion)

What the board directed

- The board did not take a formal vote but signaled support for continuing final design, proceeding to the outreach schedule and returning with final bid documents and a recommendation on an early‑completion incentive. Commissioners also asked staff to minimize through‑town construction routing and to coordinate further with school officials on bus routing. (Commission direction)

What’s next

- Staff will hold the announced outreach events, complete final design and prepare the construction bid package for advertisement this fall. Permits and coordination with the Army Corps and other agencies will continue as required before in‑stream work occurs.

Ending note

County staff emphasized the team will keep the board and community informed as outreach feedback is incorporated and as the final bid package and construction-management details are completed.