Evergreen is finally getting its dam bridge.
Construction of a pedestrian bridge at Evergreen Lake dam linking the lake loop trail to downtown Evergreen will begin April 12, weather permitting, according to a release from the Downtown Evergreen Economic District, or DEED.
Colorado 74, a main street through downtown Evergreen, will close various times April 12-23 to allow for construction of the bridge. Construction will also close fishing access on the lake’s north side.
During the closures — one-lane and full road closures — drivers will be detoured onto Meadow Drive to get from Colorado 74 to Jefferson County 73. Residents west of the construction area are urged to use Stagecoach Boulevard instead of Upper Bear Creek Road.
Evergreen Park and Recreation District , which will add accessibility to the lake loop pedestrian trail by offering an alternative to the stairs at either side of the lake’s dam.
, but that was pushed back as they awaited approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
However, final approvals did not come through until December, and a representative of DEED said at a town hall meeting that downtown merchants asked construction be postponed further to avoid disrupting the holiday shopping season.
The 200-foot bridge will connect the north end of the Evergreen Lake dam to a concrete path that leads to downtown merchants, restaurants and galleries. The Downtown Evergreen Economic District contributed $30,000 to the cost of the project through the Evergreen Legacy Fund, money collected from businesses that donate 1 percent of their sales.
Golden-based GoodLand Construction will be doing the heavy construction of the bridge.
The bridge is also part of Evergreen High School, downtown, Hiwan Homestead Museum and nearby parks.
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
Colorado 74 closures for bridge construction
April 12-13 7 p.m.-5 a.m. one-lane closure
April 13-15 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. full road closure
April 16 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. one-lane closure
April 20-22 7 p.m.-5 a.m. full road nighttime closures for three nights
April 23 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. one-lane closure
