U.S. 50 is closed between Montrose and Gunnison after state and federal transportation officials found cracking on a bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir, causing detours of up to seven hours.
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed U.S. 50 between the intersection with Colo. 92 and mile point 138 on Thursday afternoon based on advice from the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts, agency officials said in a news release.
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State and federal transportation officials found problems with the bridge during a safety inspection, which was required because of issues with similar, high-strength steel bridges in other parts of the country.
Drivers can take a six-hour, 354-mile detour north via I-70 or a seven-hour, 331-mile detour north via U.S. 160. Local residents will be allowed through the closure.
State and local leaders are looking at temporary and permanent bridge fixes as well as options to clear seasonal routes to reduce the detour time for local travelers, the agency said in a news release.
The bridge will be closed through Friday and road crews are working to clear snow for a local detour through the Old Lake City cutoff, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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