Cimarron bridge grows

       Contracted crews last week began installing the 48 concrete girders that will support the bridge deck of the new Cimarron Street bridge over Conejos Street and the railroad tracks. The new Cimarron bridge over Conejos Street and the railroad tracks has begun taking shape, as new concrete girders have been installed. Westside Pioneer photo
       According to a City Public Communications press release, the work is a “major milestone” in the project, which is due for partial completion in mid-May. The four- lane bridge is a key access between the Westside and downtown.
       The concrete girders will become the main support for the bridge deck. The girders range from 85 feet to 103 feet long and 35 to 43 tons in weight. The 300-ton capacity crane installing the girders weighs approximately 79 tons and is currently the largest crane in the state of Colorado, the release states.
       Construction started in October. In August 2006, the bridge had been reduced to just two lanes for safety reasons.
       The project, funded from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax, has an overall cost of $8 million.

Westside Pioneer/press release