U.S. 50 Bridge Information

Middle Bridge on Hwy 50 now open all day, closed at night

Looking for U.S. 50 bridge information on your trip to Gunnison or Crested Butte? Bookmark this page for up-to-date driving directions, business openings and news updates for Middle Bridge and Lake Fork Bridge. These two bridges, located on Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, are under construction for safety repairs.

This page contains information for travelers coming to Gunnison from the west. Travel to the Gunnison Valley from the east remains unchanged. Keep reading to learn more about the Hwy 50 bridge construction schedule and travel considerations.

Area businesses are open and appreciate your business during this time!

Where are the affected bridges on Highway 50?

The map below shows the affected section of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose. The affected bridges are Middle Bridge and Lake Fork Bridge. The bridges cross over Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Middle Bridge Highway 50 openings and regulations

Extended bridge openings over Labor Day weekend

Approved vehicles will be able to cross both bridges from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Friday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 2 in a one-way alternating traffic formation.

When is Middle Bridge open?

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, travel over the US 50 Middle Bridge will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Flaggers will control alternating one-way traffic over the bridge.

When is Lake Fork Bridge open?

Lake Fork Bridge is open 24 hours a day to alternating one-way traffic. Expect longer traffic holds at night.

What vehicles are allowed over the bridges?

Vehicles allowed across the bridges:

Passenger vehicles
Pickup trucks
Vans
Motorcycles
Emergency vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks
School buses
3/4 ton or smaller pickups with bumper pull trailers (boats, campers, side-by-sides)
Compact Class C motorhomes
Small single rear axle box trucks

Vehicles not allowed across the bridges:

All Class A motorhomes
Larger Class C motorhomes
Semi-trucks
Commercial buses
Pickup trucks with a gooseneck trailer or a 5th-wheel camper or trailer

These vehicles are required to use the County Road 26 detour.

State and county info pages

Official CDOT information page

Get the latest updates on the Hwy 50 bridge improvements on the official Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) information page. Learn more about the repair process, and get more details on area travel.

CDOT Info Page

Gunnison County Alert Center

Check the Gunnison County Hwy 50 bridge closure page prior to your drive for any last-minute news.

County Bridge Info Page

Why was the U.S. Highway 50 bridge closed?

Middle Bridge was closed for safety reasons during an inspection in mid-April. As repairs continue, it is now open to single-lane traffic during the day.

Similar safety-related repairs are being conducted on Lake Fork Bridge.

When will the Hwy 50 bridges fully reopen?

CDOT anticipates the project will be completed in fall 2024. At the completion of the permanent repairs, full loads will be allowed on the bridge.

Bookmark this page or check the official CDOT information page linked above to stay updated.

Alternate routes

CR 26 – the Lake City Cutoff road

Gunnison County Road 26 (the Lake City cutoff road) opens multiple times a day to travel in both directions between Gunnison and Montrose. Expect a delay of about an hour. Check the schedule and learn more on the CDOT CR 26 info page.

CR 12 – Kebler Pass

Gunnison County Road 12 over Kebler Pass is now open. Kebler Pass begins on the east side of U.S. Highway 133 near Somerset and ends in downtown Crested Butte. The road is mostly unpaved but is suitable for all passenger vehicles. See the graphic below for Kebler Pass weight and length restrictions.

An RV pulling a trailer, with graphics about vehicle length restrictions on Kebler Pass.

County Road 26 (Lake City cutoff) info

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gunnison Crested Butte (@visitgcb)

County Road 12 (Kebler Pass) info

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gunnison Crested Butte (@visitgcb)

Area travel

Travel to Gunnison from the east is unchanged

Coming from Denver, the Front Range, Salida or anywhere east of Gunnison? If Gunnison or Crested Butte is your destination, the route is unchanged. Monarch Pass and Cottonwood Pass are open, and Gunnison remains fully accessible from the east. Blue Mesa Reservoir east of the bridge closure is operating normally and open to anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Flights to GUC also remain unchanged

Flying to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport this summer? The airport, located in Gunnison, is not affected by the Hwy 50 bridge closure.

Mountain passes

Is Kebler Pass open?

Yes! Kebler Pass, also known as Gunnison County Road 12, is open for summer 2024. Ohio Creek Pass, which runs from the Kebler Pass road to Gunnison, is also open.

Is Cottonwood Pass open?

Yes! Cottonwood Pass, also known as Chaffee County Road 306, is open for summer 2024.

Is Monarch Pass open?

Yes! Monarch Pass is open. The Hwy 50 bridge construction does not impact travel to Gunnison and Crested Butte from the east.

Are businesses near Blue Mesa open?

Businesses on both sides of the Hwy 50 bridge remain open! These businesses appreciate any support you can give during this difficult time.

Please note that in addition to the businesses listed on this map, Arrowhead Lodge (west of the closure) is also open.

U.S. 50 bridge closure business and amenity information

Blue Mesa businesses

The following companies who operate near Middle Bridge are open for business! Learn more about lodging, camping, guided fishing trips and more.

Oasis RV Resort and Cottages

BLUE MESA RECREATIONAL RANCH

ELK CREEK MARINA

SAPINERO VILLAGE CAMPGROUND

BLUE MESA OUTPOST

ARROWHEAD MOUNTAIN LODGE

GUNNISON SPORTS OUTFITTERS

LAKE FORK MARINA

Things to do at Blue Mesa and Curecanti

Explore Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water! Here are a few ideas for things to do at Blue Mesa:

Rent a pontoon boat for a day
Hire a fishing guide for a chance to catch one of Blue Mesa’s famously huge lake trout
Explore the scenic, rocky shoreline from a stand-up paddleboard
Venture deep into a rocky canyon on Curecanti Creek hiking trail
Stay in a quaint cabin or campsite on the lakeshore
Take advantage of a breezy day to go sailing

Fishing

Hiking

Boating

The rim of a canyon in the fall. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's least visited National Parks.

Is Blue Mesa Reservoir open?

Blue Mesa Reservoir is open everywhere except the area directly adjacent to the Hwy 50 bridge construction. Curecanti National Recreation Area is also open to visitors. Learn more about things to do in and around Colorado’s largest reservoir by clicking the button below.

Explore Blue Mesa and Curecanti