EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Crews recently demolished a wooden bridge and replaced it with a low-water crossing on West Ramah Road, three miles north of Calhan.

KRDO 13s Road WarriorWe first reported the bridge’s sudden closure for safety reasons in July; Authorities later announced that an examination showed signs of decay at the bottom.

“Our highway department went out there and demolished the bridge, then put in a 60-inch diameter pipe and then graveled it again so we could open it back up,” said Dan Gerhard, county civil engineer.

The pipe is supposed to handle most of the drainage in the area, except for occasional heavy rain events that can temporarily flood the pass and close the road.

Rip-rap, which are large rocks placed at each end of the pipe, are designed to reduce erosion.

It is believed that the wooden bridge was built in 1949 and has become a familiar landmark to neighbors.

Gerhard said the county will examine the remaining ten wooden bridges to determine whether they need similar treatment.

He also said the district saved money by doing the work in-house rather than hiring a private contractor.

However, the low-water crossing replacing the Ramah Road bridge is only a temporary solution; Gerhard said the county is considering other options, including building a modern bridge in that area.