Weld County to Replace East Greeley Bridge, Close Hemlock Avenue

Weld County will close Hemlock Avenue between East 18th and East 24th streets in east Greeley starting January 20, 2026, for approximately three months to replace a 55-year-old county bridge.

The project will reroute neighborhood traffic and commutes while Weld County Public Works completes the replacement of Bridge 45.5/56.5A with its own bridge crew. Detours will be posted on the Weld County Road Advisory Map.

The bridge, originally built in 1970, requires full replacement after inspections revealed deterioration of back walls and substructure issues. After minor repairs over the past two years, Weld County determined that complete replacement was necessary. The Weld County Board of Commissioners approved the project January 13.

Scott James, Weld County Commissioner Chair, underscored the importance of the work. "It's easy for one's mind to think of only roads when thinking of the county's transportation system, but bridges are equally important," James said. "The replacement of this bridge is necessary to ensure it remains safe and efficient."

The new bridge will widen from 28 to 32 feet, a safety upgrade. The project is funded from the Public Works annual budget and will be built by the county's in-house bridge crew.

Curtis Hall, Director of Weld County Public Works, emphasized the durability of the original structure. "Given that this bridge was originally built in 1970, I'm happy that it lasted 55 years with only minor repairs," Hall said. "Such longevity shows we build things to last."

The Hemlock Avenue project is one of several bridge improvements underway across the county. Weld County has completed recent bridge replacements near Eaton, Kersey, and Platteville. Public Works is responsible for maintaining 429 bridges across Weld County.