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Upvalley transit committee ponies up for Grand Ave. Bridge replacement

Elise Thatcher

A committee comprised of upvalley elected officials has agreed to help fund the Grand Avenue Bridge replacement project in Glenwood Springs. 

Since last year the Colorado Department of Transportation has been working to get local communities to pony up millions of dollars, arguing the bridge replacement is important for the entire Valley. Pitkin County and Aspen punted the request to the Elected Officials Transportation Committee, a board that represents Pitkin, Aspen and Snowmass Village.

On Thursday the committee agreed to put $335,000 toward the project. Pitkin County commissioner George Newman pointed out how CDOT will use the funding.

"They’re not going to be going toward the construction of the bridge. They will be going toward the mitigation of traffic to enable our guests and employees to be able to come up to the upper valley."

The money will help pay for traffic mitigation, like increased bus service, during a 90-day road closure when the bridge is under construction. A CDOT representative says some of the construction will happen when Independence Pass is open, to alleviate traffic pressure.

The state agency is still negotiating with Eagle County and Glenwood Springs. Garfield County has pledged $3 million toward the project.