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Show Nev Colton Bridge To Open Oct. 20 The Utah Department of Transportation has scheduled noon, October 20, as the time and date for the opening of the new Colton Bridge on U.S. 6 & . 50 about 25 miles west of . . Price. The opening should be welcome news to truckers who have been operating under speed and weight restrictions which have been imposed on the bridge since December of 1975. They have been required to observe a 40 mile per hour speed limit across the bridge and have not been able to use overload permits. These restrictions re-strictions will be lifted with the opening of the new bridge. UDOT District Four Director James L. Deaton said the load and speed restrictions have had considerable economic impact on southeastern Utah counties. "The only feasible detours are many miles and hours out of the way on 1-70 through Salina or U-33 through Indian Canyon to US-40," he said. The old Colton Bridge was constructed in 1932 at a cost of $55,000, compared with the $1,197,253 cost of the new bridge, which shows how much the cost of highway construction has gone up. The old two-land, steel deck truss bridge was 400 feet long and sat some 65 feet above the Price River and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad tracks. It served its purpose well for many years until UDOT inspectors found that the concrete piers which support the ends of the steel truss were badly deteriorated. That, combined with the fact that the bridge was not designed to carry today's heavier truck loads,' warranted the load restrictions and the bridge's quick replacement. Located just north of the old bridge, the new Colton Bridge is constructed of continuous steel girders with a concrete deck overlaid with an asphalt driving surface. Approximately Approximate-ly twelve feet longer and considerably wider, the new bridge will carry east and westbound traffic lanes and a westbound truck passing lane. To complete its contract with the UDOT, the M. Morrin and Son Construction Company of Ogden will dismantle the old bridge. ' |
