The second full closure of U.S. 34 just east of Estes Park is now scheduled to take place Thursday through Monday, weather permitting, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The closure is necessary to allow CDOT crews to replace the last steel truss bridge on U.S. 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon. The two steel truss bridges being replaced as part of this project were originally constructed in 1937 and are in poor condition.
“A great deal of work takes place early in the closure so it essential that we have dry weather and fairly warm temperatures the first three days,” said CDOT resident engineer Scott Ellis. “If inclement weather will impact girder delivery, bridge demolition or bridge deck construction, the closure will be postponed until at least a three-day window of good weather is forecast.”
During the closure, U.S. 34 will be completely closed at milepost 66.3 and motorists will be detoured through Lyons along U.S. 287, State Highway 66 and U.S. 36. The closure will be in place 24 hours a day starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and continuing through Monday, while crews demolish the existing bridge and construct the new bridge. The detour route will add about 15 miles onto a trip from Estes Park to Loveland.
Following the second closure, crews will have some minor work to complete. Between the middle of March and the middle of May, crews will install the remaining drainage structures and pave the roadway in asphalt.
For more information about the project, visit or call 970-685-0229.
