Bridge Over South Platte River Will Be Replaced; Closed Until May

DENVER, CO — A 92-year-old bridge over the South Platte River will be removed and replaced to ensure traveler safety and allow for multiple transportation methods, causing an 8-month closure.

The bridge is located on W. 8th Avenue, between Federal Boulevard and Zuni Street. It has "exceeded its design life," officials said, and can only accommodate vehicle travel despite the growing number of pedestrians and bicyclists.

The bridge will close from Sept. 27 to May 2022. Replacing it will cost $10.8 million, funded through the Elevate Denver bond program approved by voters in 2017, officials said.

The bridge was refurbished once in the 1960s, and officials said the new structure will "serve the community for decades to come."

Officials say the project will increase comfort and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by adding 10-foot wide sidewalks, improve access to the S. Platte River Trail, eliminate the need for abrupt lane changes and enhance driver comfort through wider lanes across the bridge.

"This critical project will enhance and modernize the transportation infrastructure in the area by adding a bridge with wider travel lanes, an additional eastbound through travel lane, and multi-use sidewalks on both sides of the bridge," officials wrote on the city of Denver website. "Connections to the South Platte River Trail will be enhanced to provide an important regional link for recreation and commuting."

Additionally, the S. Platte River Trail will be widened under the bridge and the trail ramps leading up to the bridge will be replaced.

During the closures, people in cars are encouraged to use W. 6th Avenue to travel east and west. People accessing businesses in the W. 8th Avenue area will travel around the closure via Zuni Street, W. 13th Avenue, Decatur Street, and W. 10th Avenue.

Those using the South Platte River Trail for walking and biking will be minimally impacted and will come off the trail for a short distance, go around the bridge and head back onto the trail, officials said.

More information about the project can be found on the city of Denver's website here.

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