Closure continues for Cottonwood Bridge on State Highway 95

Construction workers are moving forward with construction to stabilize the Cottonwood Wash Bridge on State Route 95 west of Blanding.  The 110-foot bridge is scheduled to reopen Saturday, November 6.      

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) urges motorists to stay out of the work zone to accommodate safety and the construction schedule.  

UDOT closed the bridge on August 2 after discovering the collapse of sandstone at the footing of the east abutment during a routine bi-annual bridge inspection. 

Engineers say it appears high flows in the wash during flash flooding scoured a lower layer of rock away from the east abutment, leaving an upper layer of rock unsupported.  

UDOT awarded an emergency repair contract valued at approximately $600,000 to establish quick and safe passage.

The Utah Transportation Commission also approved $5.5 million on August 13 toward the design and construction of a future bridge replacement. The emergency repair designs take into account future bridge design options.  

For paved access to and from Upper Lake Powell, UDOT recommends Interstate 70 to State Route 24 through Hanksville.  

A project webpage is available at www.udot.utah.gov/go/sr95bridge.  Public inquiries regarding the bridge repair project may be sent to sr95bridge@utah.gov.  

For the latest on Utah road and traffic conditions please visit udottraffic.utah.gov or check the UDOT Traffic App.