Old Fruita Bridge
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Year Listed: 2002
County: Mesa County
Status: ALERT
Context: Transportation
Date Constructed: 1907
Significance:
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge was completed in 1907, and is one of the few remaining spans associated with noted bridge engineer M.J. Patterson. This steel and wood, three-span bridge served for years as a regionally important early roadway used to cross the Colorado River.
Threat When Listed:
Vandalism, including fires, and weathering
Since Listing: The City of Fruita completed an assessment as a first step toward building local support to stabilize and rehabilitate the bridge for bike/pedestrian use along a river trail that would stretch from Fruita to Grand Junction. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program began a river trail planning project in 2005 that will incorporate the bridge. Due to erosion of an island in the river, waterflow seriously damaged one of the bridge's piers. Experts fear a high spring runoff may cause the bridge to collapse. Colorado Preservation, Inc. and others are working to put together a plan and funding to provide emergency stabilization.
Last Updated:
January 2006