Maroon Creek Bridge

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Maroon Creek Bridge
Maroon Creek Bridge
Carries Passenger vehicles
Crosses Maroon Creek
Locale near Aspen, Colorado
Longest span 600 ft (181.8 m)
Total length 651 ft (197.3 m)
Height 90 ft (27.3 m)
AADT 22,300 cars daily
Completion date 1888
Opening date 1929
Coordinates 39°19′43.43″N 104°44′4.05″W / 39.3287306, -104.7344583Coordinates: 39°19′43.43″N 104°44′4.05″W / 39.3287306, -104.7344583

The Maroon Creek Bridge is a trestle spanning Maroon Creek near Aspen, Colorado. It consists of twenty spans, each thirty feet (9.09 m) in length. Carrying State Highway 82, it is the oldest bridge still in use within the entire Colorado state highway system[1] and serves as the main route in and out of Aspen.[2] It was originally constructed in 1888 by the Colorado Midland Railroad as a railroad bridge, but abandoned in 1919 after the company became bankrupt.[3] It was then converted for vehicle use in 1929 and widened slightly to accommodate automobiles.[4] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (reference number 85000222).[5]

The bridge is currently being replaced at a cost of $13.92 million,[6] as the Colorado Department of Transportation has classified it as "unstable" at near capacity. After completion of the new bridge (a concrete box girder bridge) in spring 2008, the existing bridge will remain in place to honor its historic designation.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Maroon Creek Bridge Replacement. Colorado Department of Transporation. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
  2. ^ Urquhart, Janet. "State finds funds for new bridge", Aspen Times, November 19, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. 
  3. ^ Condon, Scott. "Maroon Creek bridges 'light years apart'", Glenwood Springs Post Independent, March 26, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. 
  4. ^ Colson, John. "Officials: Local bridges are OK", Aspen Times, August 3, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. 
  5. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2006-03-15).
  6. ^ WORK ON SH 82 MAROON CREEK BRIDGE PROGRESSES. Colorado Department of Transportation (April 7, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
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