PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) – I-25 is back open in both directions between Colorado Springs and Pueblo Tuesday morning following what CDOT says was the successful installation of a new bridge at the site of a deadly train derailment back in October.
CDOT shut down the interstate just north of Pueblo Monday night, with the plan to lift the closure at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Work went faster than anticipated, and both sides of the interstate were back open by 5:15 a.m.
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The bridge that once stood over I-25 mile point 107 was destroyed in a catastrophic structural failure after a BNSF train hauling coal went off the rails. Investigators have said they believe it was a broken rail tie just to the east of the bridge that triggered the domino-effect disaster, causing dozens of train cars to tumble off the tracks onto the interstate, immediately followed by the bridge collapsing. Coal spilled across the roadway, and an oncoming semi-truck was crushed, killing the driver. I-25 was rendered impassable for several days.
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Monday’s work was preceded by repairs on the embankments and other parts of the rail line, in preparation for the installment of the new bridge.
“BNSF Railway has been working for a couple of months putting the plan together,” said Amber Shipley, a spokesperson for CDOT Region 2.
Part of the plan included designed the new bridge in Texas and then hauling it up the interstate on large machines, then welding into place.
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Ahead of Monday’s work, CDOT and BNSF told 11 News that there would be multiple inspection crews on scene Monday night to make sure everything is done right, and that if everything went as expected, there could be trains going back over the bridge by Wednesday night.
CDOT confirmed with 11 News Tuesday morning that the installation did indeed go as planned.
CDOT told 11 News that a lot of eyes will be on this replacement going forward. The department typically inspects bridges across the state over a 24-month period, or sooner if the bridge is older.
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