Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Roads And Bridges topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pitkin County to remove nearly a foot of asphalt from Slaughterhouse Bridge; intermittent closures planned in April
Summary
County engineer presented core samples showing excessive asphalt build‑up on Slaughterhouse Bridge and mapped a repair that will strip the deck, install waterproofing and repave; contractor will require up to ten working days of daytime bridge closures in April with detours and school‑bus coordination.
Pitkin County engineer Andrew Nap showed commissioners core samples taken from Slaughterhouse Bridge at the March 24 work session and recommended removing the existing asphalt overlay, repairing the concrete deck as needed, installing a waterproofing membrane and repaving with a new overlay.
"This is what came off the bridge — close to one foot of asphalt," Nap said while presenting the cores, and explained that the county will remove the old paving to assess deck condition and perform targeted repairs before installing a 5‑inch overlay. Nap said the contract with Frontier Paving includes up to 10 working days of daytime full bridge closures (9 a.m.–7 p.m.) to accomplish the work efficiently, with the contractor mobilizing April 6 and closures penciled to start April 10.
County staff said they coordinated with the school district on the bus route that crosses the bridge to avoid morning impacts and that alternative afternoon routing has been arranged. Open Space & Trails and outfitters will be notified of any intermittent Rio Grande Trail closures underneath the bridge and county communications will place variable message boards and signage at decision points to reduce detour impacts.
Why it matters: Cores indicated an atypically large asphalt dead load on the bridge deck, which accelerates structural wear and shortens bridge life. Removing the excess overlay reduces long‑term maintenance needs and allows the county to install a modern waterproofing membrane, but work will temporarily disrupt daily travel and recreational access.
What’s next: Frontier Paving will mobilize in early April; staff will continue public notification for outfitters, river users and motorists. If further structural repair is needed after the asphalt is removed, the schedule could extend beyond the current June 12 finish estimate, staff said.
