Colorado to replace the oldest bridge on the state highway system

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver bridge more than a century old is set to be demolished, and drivers in the area will see traffic impacts from a work closure scheduled for this weekend.

Built in 1911 and widened in 1966, the Alameda Avenue bridge over the South Platte River is the oldest in Colorado’s highway system. The Colorado Department of Transportation said an ongoing project will reconstruct the bridge and make other improvements to benefit drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Here’s what Denver travelers can expect this weekend.

Alameda Avenue closure: May 10-13

West Alameda Avenue (Colorado Highway 26) will be closed between Kalamath and Lipan streets from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, as will the southbound Interstate 25 ramp to Alameda. Drivers are warned that the detour will add around 20 minutes of travel time.

“The closure will allow crews to switch traffic over to the newly constructed northside of the bridge while preparations are made to remove the old south half of the structure,” CDOT said in a release . “Pedestrians also will be switched to the northside. The South Platte River Trail detour remains in place.”

Alameda Avenue construction to continue into 2025

Construction on the $22.3 million project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025.

The project will modify Alameda intersections for multi-modal use, including improvements to the I-25 South Santa Fe Drive interchange. South Platte River Drive will be eliminated between Alameda and Cedar avenues, diverting traffic to the widened South Lipan Street north of Alameda.

Crews will also reconstruct the South Platte River Trail, build an on-street two-way cycle track that connects to the trail, install a water quality pond and improve sidewalks.

The project also aims to improve flood capacity.

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