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Civil Engineer Kevin Diekelman speaks with Delmar Dudden, who helped build the original bridges over 60 years ago

Over 60 years ago, Colorado Springs' resident, Delmar Dudden was swinging a hammer and pouring concrete as part of the construction crew building two Platte Avenue bridges over Sand Creek.  He thought a summer job working on the bridges would be good pay for fair work. Little did he know he'd witness the entire lifespan of those bridges in 2021.

A portion of the original bridges are slated for demo and removal next week. They'll be replaced by a single, shorter, and wider bridge designed to accommodates future growth.

After his stint as a summer laborer, Delmar spent 31 years teaching at Pikes Peak Community College. "I really can't believe it's been that long and boy how the city has grown. I'm proud to have been a part of that bridge."

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Phase 3 of the Platte Avenue over Sand Creek, will commence with a traffic lane switch Monday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m. - 5 a.m., weather and resource dependent. Traffic on Platte Avenue (including bicyclists and pedestrians) will be closed from Wooten Road to the Powers Interchange. All business accesses will remain open throughout construction.

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Aerial view of Platte Avenue bridges over Sand Creek in 1947

Platte Avenue over Sand Creek bridge replacement project is expected to be complete by Fall 2022, weather and resource dependent.

For more information about this project, visit: ColoradoSprings.gov/PSCBridge

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