Portion of Highway 67 back open in Fremont County

A stretch of Highway 67 that closed in Fremont County near Wetmore because of storm damage to a bridge is back open.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reopened State Highway 67 to through traffic between Florence and Wetmore Thursday night.

It was closed to through traffic on July 31 after rainstorms heavily damaged a bridge crossing a normally dry channel, five miles north of Wetmore.

A reduced 20 mph speed limit is in effect for the two-lane, paved detour, which is parallel to the damaged bridge. While the detour is being used, vehicles wider than 11 feet will restricted from traveling through the site.

CDOT begins seeking bids from contractors to build a new bridge next week. A contract to build the new bridge is expected this fall. The time frame for completing construction is unknown until a contractor is in place but CDOT expects it to take up to six months.

Work also will consist of stabilizing the 34-foot water channel to prevent future erosion in the immediate area and protect the new structure.

Approximately 1,300 vehicles use this segment of SH 67 daily.