Access to Lake Pueblo from Pueblo West to be closed April 2 for bridge installation
Bill VogrinSoutheast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected] Access to Lake Pueblo from Pueblo West to be closed April 2 for bridge installation
March 25, 2024
Access to Lake Pueblo from Pueblo West to be closed April 2 for bridge installation
PUEBLO, Colo. – To improve access to Lake Pueblo State Park from the north through Pueblo West, a new pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks will be installed on April 2 requiring closure of that park entrance for the day.
The closure could extend to April 3 depending on weather conditions and other circumstances.
No vehicle travel will be permitted in either direction that April 2 on South Nichols Road to allow construction crews to stage two cranes on the road. The cranes will lift the new pedestrian bridge and swing it into place, spanning the tracks, which run east and west through a deep ravine.
The pedestrian bridge will sit on new concrete abutments built on either side of the ravine and connect a recently constructed sidewalk.
The April 2 closure is expected to last from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
“That north entrance is popular among Pueblo West residents,” said Park Manager Joe Stadterman. ““We’re excited to install this pedestrian bridge and provide a safe new access over the train tracks and separated from vehicle traffic.”
Stadterman asked for patience and understanding from residents who use the road to access the park and even to reach Pueblo.
“We regret the inconvenience this closure will cause,” he said. “But there is a lot of interest among trail users to finish this section. When this project is finished, trail uses will be able to travel from Pueblo West all the way into downtown Pueblo.”
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CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
What: Crews will install a pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks on South Nichols Road.
When: Work is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, and be completed by 9 p.m. (The closure could extend to April 3 depending on weather conditions and other circumstances.)
Detours
Detour signs will direct motorists to take W. US Highway 50 to State Highway 45 (N. Pueblo Blvd.), to State Highway 96 (Thatcher Ave.) to access Lake Pueblo State Park.
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All photos are courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
A map shows the north entrance road to Lake Pueblo State Park. Crews will close the section of South Nichols Road and its vehicle bridge on April 2 to allow installation of a parallel pedestrian bridge.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.