Two Colorado Bridges Win APWA Awards

Two of Loris and Associates' projects recently won "Project of the Year Awards" from the American Public Works Association.

The first award in the General Public Works - Medium Communities category was for work on the federally funded 11th Avenue Bridge in Greeley. Loris was the prime consultant for more than a half-mile of roadway improvements and the new 250-ft bridge over the Cache La Poudre River.

The second award was in the Small Community category for the Washington Plaza Bridge on Golden's main street. The bridge above Clear Creek actually consists of two separate structures - interconnected steel pedestrian walkways forming one bridge straddle a central, conventional prestressed concrete vehicular bridge.

The pedestrian bridge features four structural steel towers holding up curved pedestrian plazas with cable stays that fan out over the walkway. Pedestrians also have access to trails along the creek and a plaza under the bridge. TST Inc. of Denver was the prime consultant for the project.

Red Cliff Arch Bridge Being Rehabilitated

The Colorado Department of Transportation recently began a project to rehabilitate the historic Red Cliff Arch Bridge on U.S. 24.

The Red Cliff Arch Bridge is nine miles south of Minturn and a vital part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway, which has been designated a National Scenic Byway. The bridge was built in 1940, spanning the Eagle River and Union Pacific railroad. It traverses the Eagle River over a deep gorge and difficult terrain. The project is also within an environmentally sensitive area.

The rehabilitation project, contracted to Lawrence Construction of Littleton for $3.6 million, will include replacement of the bridge deck with one that is wider. It will involve extensive work on the bridge's superstructure - steel girder flanges - to securely anchor a new concrete bridge deck as well as the addition of new bridge rail while maintaining the historic bridge's outward appearance.

The project will also include painting the bridge.

The Red Cliff Arch is a steel bridge, and weather has exposed the structural elements to increased corrosion and deterioration. In addition, the bridge piers and foundations are sound but will require preventative maintenance to ensure future protection and integrity.

CDOT Releases Pavement Condition Report

The Colorado Department of Transportation recently released a report that says 58 percent of the pavement on Colorado highways is in good or fair condition. This percentage has remained relatively consistent over the last several years, but a change could be in store over the next 20 years as the service life of roadways decreases and repair costs increase significantly.

However, the report's 20-year projections show that good or fair pavement conditions will decrease to almost 30 percent if funding for highway paving remains at its current levels.

Each year, the state transportation commission allocates $135 million to CDOT's Pavement Management Program to maintain, rehabilitate and reconstruct 22,851 lane-miles of the state's highways and interstates. This amount was set by the commission to meet its goal of having 60 percent of the pavement or road surface rated in good or fair condition - meaning the pavement has at least six more years of life.

On the other hand, if funding is increased to $300 million a year, pavement condition would remain near the Commission's 60 percent goal. If $400 million were to be invested, CDOT could exceed the commission's goal by reaching a 75 percent good or fair rating.

Model for Water-Efficient Landscaping Now Available

Communities looking for water conservation tips may find a new landscaping design model helpful.

The Office of Smart Growth in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs has issued two publications on drought-tolerant landscaping. The Water-Efficient Landscape Design Model Ordinance provides municipalities and counties with a template for incorporating drought-tolerant landscaping into their design codes. The ordinance was produced in conjunction with the development of Lafayette's landscape design code.

A companion document is the WaterWise Landscaping Best Practices Manual, which includes tips on irrigation and drainage design, soil preparation, water budgeting and a list of drought-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees. The manuals were developed through a DOLA Colorado Heritage Planning Grant to the municipalities of Lafayette and Erie.

More information on the manuals can be found at www.dola.state.co.us/smartgrowth or by calling 303-866-4552.

URS Assists Corps of Engineers with Rueter-Hess Reservoir

Rueter-Hess Reservoir near Parker has received a federal Section 404 permit for construction, the first such permit granted in 20 years along Colorado's Front Range.
URS Corp. served as an independent third-party contractor to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in preparing the environmental impact statement that evaluated the social and environmental effects of constructing and operating the 16,000 acre-ft reservoir.

"This reservoir is a milestone for Parker Water and the entire region," said Frank Jaeger, Parker Water and Sanitation District manager. "It will be a key management tool for increasing the longevity of Parker's water resources."

URS conducted environmental studies for the EIS and identified mitigation to create new wetlands, improve wildlife and endangered species habitat and preserve 2,000 acres of open space. Construction will begin at the end of 2004.

"Rueter-Hess Reservoir will be about half the size of Cherry Creek Reservoir and filled with renewable surface water, thus reducing demands on non-renewable Denver Basin groundwater," said Tim Volz, URS Colorado water resources manager.

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