Colorado Highway 50 Bridge Closed At Blue Mesa Reservoir

Travel in Western Colorado has been impacted in a major way by the closure of Colorado Highway 50 in Montrose and Gunnison counties.

Read More: Grand Junction to Delta: What Highway 50 Looked Like in 1906

It will be a surprise for many as the Western Slope begins the spring season with lots of Coloradans using Highway 50 to access Blue Mesa, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Fourmile Gulch / Dillion Pinnacles.

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Highway 50 Bridge Closed Due To "Anomalies"

KKTV reports the Highway 50 Bridge west of Gunnison was closed at the urging of the Federal Highway Administration who say "anomalies" were found during a recent safety inspection. Repairs to the bridge are already underway according to the report from KKTV.

Read More: The Story Behind Colorado's Beautiful Million Dollar Highway

Local traffic will be allowed through the repair zones to reach residences. A closer is in place from US 50 Mile Point 131 (intersection with Colorado Highway 92) and MP 138. No timeline has been given for temporary or permanent repairs.

Colorado Alternate Routes (Option 1)

CDOT is working hard to improve detour options for motorists. Right now there are two main detours. Montrose residents who need to get to Gunnison will travel North to I-70 to reach U.S. Route 24 and then go south using U.S. Route 285 to meet back up with Highway 50.

Colorado Alternate Route (Option 2)

Option two takes even longer and will take more gas to go 404 miles south via U.S. Route 285 to U.S. 160 to U.S. Route 550 back to Highway 50.