STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 2, 2023-While much of the public typically floats right over and probably doesn’t realize there are two vital infrastructure bridges around the Oak & 11th Streets intersection, the 53- & 73-year-old bridges will see some intensive tender loving care that the public likely won’t see since its below road level.
“The project includes only minimal improvements that will be noticeable to the public at the street level as the majority of the work will be in Soda Creek itself,” said Public Works Engineer & Project Manager Danny Paul. “When complete, this work will fortify the structures to better ensure they can withstand flooding until the bridges can ultimately be replaced in the future.”
The existing creek bed has become compromised by scouring and erosion over the long life of the channel and bridge structures under these public streets. Bridge scour, or the process of erosion around a bridge foundation caused by flooding, is the leading cause of bridge failure. Bridge scour countermeasures can be used to mitigate the scour effects.
Project work consists of scour countermeasures and bridge rehabilitation that extends from downstream of 11th Street to upstream of Oak Street but in the immediate area of the bridge crossings under 11th and Oak Streets.
The project has been in planning and design for several years and was delayed multiple times due to the pandemic and funding issues. However, the city received most of the funding for the project from the CDOT/ Colorado Municipal League Off-System bridge program which provided $1,117,000 of the $1.39M overall project.
Myers & Sons has been tapped to conduct the work. The contractor will be placing machinery and rock into the creek to execute the required work depending upon creek flows and weather. The area will see additional heavy construction machinery and trucks delivering materials to and from the work zone.
Beginning the week of August 14th, Oak Street between 10th and 11th Streets, will be closed to all vehicle traffic. Residents and businesses on the 9th to 10th block of Oak Street will be allowed to access the area. A walking path will be available to pedestrians and bicyclists through the closure area, although cyclists are asked to dismount and walk their bike through the detour path. The closure is expected to be in place for two months. Later in the project, the work will require a closure of 11th Street to vehicle traffic but that is anticipated to occur in late September when traffic levels are expected to be less. When this occurs, Oak Street will reopen to vehicle traffic.
The work will also require closure of several public parking spaces on 11th and Oak Streets and at the northwest corner of the 11th and Oak Street intersection where the contractor will stage materials. All businesses and residential areas will be always accessible throughout the project. Myers & Sons has until November 1, 2023, to complete the project.
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Contact
Danny Paul, Public Works Engineer, 970.871.8210 or email
Jon Snyder, Public Works Director, 970.871.8207 or email