City to close Cache La Poudre Street bridge for safety, access improvements

The City of Colorado Springs will close the Cache La Poudre Street/Mesa Road bridge over Monument Creek starting on Monday for a rehabilitation project.

The 90-year-old bridge in Monument Valley Park, west of Colorado College, will remain closed through the fall. The project will improve safety and accessibility for all users.

The curve on the east side of the bridge will also close for construction staging.

Work began April 6 in and around Monument Creek near the bridge. Trail users on the east side of Monument Creek may see short detours. The bridge will remain open until April 20.

Construction includes replacing the bridge deck, widening sidewalks, improving drainage, and adding lighting. Historic Art Deco features will be preserved and restored. The improvements will make the bridge safer and easier to use for people walking and biking.

What to expect starting April 20:

• Park access will be limited to Glen Avenue at Uintah Street, west of Monument Creek
• Parking will be limited, especially on the east side of the creek
• Carpool or plan to park farther from your destination
• Greenway Trail users may see periodic detours, but the trail will remain mostly open
• Colorado College users should park east of the creek
• Use the Uintah Street bridge (north) or pedestrian bridge (south) to cross the creek

For updates on trail impacts and construction, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/CacheLaPoudreBridge.

Background

The Cache La Poudre Street/Mesa Road bridge opened in 1936 after a flood destroyed the original bridge in 1935. It is known for its Art Deco design, including decorative railings and lighting.

The bridge structure is in good condition. However, the concrete deck needs replacement. The bridge was designed by then-City Engineer O.O. Phillips and built with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funding.

Monument Valley Park was established in 1907 by General William Jackson Palmer and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.