[folivier]

Just an FYI. The bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir on Hwy 50 in Colorado west of Gunnison is CLOSED indefinitely due to damage found during an inspection yesterday. The only alternate routes are I-70 and Hwy 160.

[hypoxia]

Thanks for the heads up, we travel that road frequently.

[folivier]

Inspectors found a crack in a steel beam and is doing more intensive inspections and figuring out a plan for repairs, no idea how long that will take. As of now there is no local detour, only Hwy 160 and I-70. Gunnison County is working on opening a couple of local dirt roads for local cars and trucks. When it's open NO heavy trucks or RV's will be allowed on it. Our cabin is just west of the bridge so it does affect our access to Gunnison.
Here are a couple links for more info: https://www.montrosepress.com/free_acces...aEOTr51VdX

https://www.codot.gov/news/media/overvie...GTFecpYslV

[Jack Houpe]

Thats good news to know my favorite path to CA to visit family is HWY 50, last time we were on it they had construction with 30 minute to 1 hour delays.

[folivier]

Supposedly that construction that held you up should be finished this summer. They only need to finish, the guardrails, clean-up, etc. The blasting and actual road work is (supposedly) complete. Our cabin is at the west end of that closure and we've been inconvenienced for 3 years so far. Wave as you pass by or drive up the 5 mile dirt road and come visit.
Hopefully the bridge doesn't have more cracks and will be a quick fix. But as of yesterday they weren't even letting the inspectors on the bridge according to the news link I posted.

[hypoxia]

There used to be a Morrow Point Boat Tour the National Park Service ran just west of the Blue Mesa Dam. I'd do that again but it shut down during Covid I think. It was a nice 1.5 mile walk to the boat down the Pine Creek Trail.

[folivier]

The bridge inspection is still ongoing but the detour on CR 26 is working out nicely. We drove it today in our car but they're allowing RV's and trailers also. It is a dirt road with some chipseal and a few areas that have ongoing work.    

[folivier]

UPDATE:  bridge is projected (fingers crossed) to be partially open by July 4th with limitations. No word yet on what limits, probably no heavy traffic, 18 wheelers, etc.

[hypoxia]

I'll avoid that road when I depart Durango next week. Thanks for the update.