Red Cliff Arch Bridge
Description
Regarded as one of Colorado's most beautiful and iconic bridges, in a stunning and dramatic natural setting, spanning the Eagle River between two cliffs. It is one of the most photographed bridges in Colorado.This steel cantilever arch bridge carries US 24 across the Eagle River, the (unused) Union Pacific Railroad, and Water Street which was the former alignment of US 24. It crosses directly above Water Street's own bridge over the railroad and the river.
The 2004 rehab was a near total reconstruction, preserving and rehabilitating the original steel arch, while completely replacing and widening the deck. A high priority was placed on maintaining the bridge's historic integrity and appearance. Owing to the bridge's location spanning two cliffs, the project was involved and hazardous. The complete story, with construction photos, is at the Federal Highway Administration link below.
Facts
- Overview
- Steel deck arch bridge over Eagle River, Union Pacific Railroad, and Water Street on US 24 at Red Cliff
- Location
- Red Cliff, Eagle County, Colorado
- Status
- Open to traffic
- History
- Built 1940; rehabilitated 2004
- Design
- Open spandrel steel deck arch
- Dimensions
-
Length of largest span: 317.8 ft.
Total length: 471.0 ft.
Deck width: 29.8 ft.
- Recognition
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 4, 1985
- Also called
- US 24 Bridge
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +39.50791, -106.37589 (decimal degrees)
39°30'28" N, 106°22'33" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 13/381713/4374046 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Minturn
- Inventory numbers
- CDOT F-11-T (Colorado Dept. of Transportation structure number)
NRHP 85000204 (National Register of Historic Places reference number)
BH 11846 (Bridgehunter.com ID) - Inspection (as of 09/2014)
- Deck condition rating: Very Good (8 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Very Good (8 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Very Good (8 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 76.6 (out of 100) - Average daily traffic (as of 2011)
- 2,100
Update Log
- March 27, 2017: Updated by Roger Deschner: Add rehab info to description and links
- September 15, 2016: Updated by Roger Deschner: Added photos, description, street views
- September 14, 2016: New photo from Roger Deschner
- April 19, 2010: New Street View added by Nathan Holth
Related Bridges
- Red Cliff Truss Bridge (Below)
Sources
- Nathan Holth
- Roger Deschner - rogerdeschner [at] gmail [dot] com
- Wikipedia
- Public Roads-Preserving Red Cliff Arch - Federal Highway Administration
Comments
My Grandfather, John Callahan was one of the workers who helped build this bridge. Needless to say, it is quite a landmark for our family. We try to get there every couple of years. The bridge has been used for commercials on TV and featured a bungee jumper, falling off the bridge. We were there when they were filming and found they could not jump from the bridge, so they used a crane next to the bridge which with modern photography made it look as though the person was jumping from the bridge. We do have some photos of the bridge being built which were taken by my GF, but they are highly protected by my father. I will attempt to get them one day and make copies to post. They are very interesting pictures, some of which he took while working.
Chuck Callahan
You have only one life to live, so see all you can by traveling west. Tresure it for the rest of you retirement.
I am doing a project on the red cliff and i cant find as much information as i need to
My husband Jim and I had to stop to admire and take some pics of this bridge when we visited Leadville August 2008. It was a little scary driving over. I will ask Jim to add the photos later.
Kim Westendorf
Cincinnati Ohio
I was in Colorado visiting my son. We wanted to make a trip to Leadville and in spite of the snow and wind, decided to try it. About 8 miles outside of Minturn, we decided we should turn back. There it was-- the beautiful Red Cliff Bridge. We didn't make it to Leadville, but we were lucky to get to see the beautiful bridge. I'm anxious to return in good weather so we can enjoy the view!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Living a few hours away, we go over this bridge 2 -3 times a year on motorcycle trips.
It's a fantastic looking bridge, so as a pro photographer, I created a fine landscape photo of it in it's present condition.
Note my buddy's bike on his trailer behind the silver truck. He's on the left AND the right bridge deck.Gee, how'd that happen?
Enjoy!
Rob of the Springs, CO.
Looking at this bridge makes our "bouncing" steel arch [deck pratt truss] seem ALOT safer and less scary!!! PS I rather enjoy the bouncing!!!!
We found this bridge on our way to Leadville. It is awsome and very scary to drive over.
We accidentally found this beautiful little town, Red Cliff. And it was on the day of their Artist's Studio Tours. It is a gem and the bridge is beautiful. Must see. Have lunch at Mango's.
I would be scared going over this bridge
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/co/eagle/red-cliff-arch/