News & Views: August 2, 2012

Replacing Colorado's Historic Bear Creek Bridge
In the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, the stretch of U.S. 550 between the towns of Ouray and Silverton is known as the "Million Dollar Highway." Originally built in the late 1800s, the two-lane highway is a major north-south route that takes motorists past scenic views and historic sites and through steep grades and hairpin curves. Just 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) south of Ouray, the roadway crosses Red Mountain Pass and the historic Bear Creek Bridge over a stream and dramatic waterfall. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently completed a $4.86 million project to replace the bridge.

"This bridge replacement project came with significant challenges, such as its historic designation, extremely narrow confines, and lack of a reasonable alternate route, not to mention weather and geotechnical concerns," says Ed Archuleta, CDOT Region 5 resident engineer. "We had to approach every aspect of the project with innovation to build a safer, vastly improved structure within the confines and get it done quickly."
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Olympic Infrastructure
East London has certainly received an infrastructure boost thanks to hosting the 2012 Olympics.  Aside from the state-of-the-art venues, the area welcomed over 30 new bridges and connections designed and built for use during and after the prestigious events. 
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Three Onondaga County Towns Consider Changing Elected Positions to Appointed Positions
Three towns in Onondaga County’s northern suburbs will consider changing the position of highway superintendent from an elected position to an appointed one.  Town supervisors in Lysander and Van Buren said changing the highway superintendent position from elected to appointed would help to pave the way for intermunicipal agreements and shared services between the two towns and with the village of Baldwinsville. 
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FEMA Denies Funding for Historic Bridge
The historical landmark was wiped away last year, by Tropical Storm Irene, and now FEMA has denied the 4 to 5 million dollars needed to rebuild it.  "Since its a county owned structure, county owned bridge, we believe their should be FEMA funding for that," said William Cherry, Schoharie County treasurer.  "To lose a major tourism asset, the longest wooden bridge in the world, is a devastating blow to our economy, it needs to be replaced," said Old Fort Museum curator, Carle Kopecky. 
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