Logan County commissioners vote to close County Road 59 bridge to through traffic

Logan County commissioners voted Oct. 6 to close the County Road 59 bridge over the North Sterling Outlet Canal to through traffic. The resolution declares the bridge closed and directs the county’s Road and Bridge Department to install signs and barricades, commissioners approved the resolution at their meeting.

The resolution cites deterioration and multiple Colorado Department of Transportation findings that repairs are essential. It estimates replacement would cost $2.25 million and says the county’s grant application was unsuccessful.

At a Sept. 22 work session, county staff said one person regularly used the bridge to reach land he owned beyond it and already drove large equipment around the bridge. Staff and commissioners also discussed preserving farmers’ access to fields up to the bridge; that discussion described a possible layout, not a final arrangement. The work-session discussion predates the closure resolution.

The resolution says alternate routes are available to preserve access to adjoining land but does not identify roads for a through-traffic detour.