Construction began on the Skyway Bridge, which will be Colorado’s longest bridge measuring 9,553 ft long and nearly 50 ft above grade at its highest point. The project will take approximately two years to complete and is scheduled to open in 2018.
The Skyway Bridge is one of the 13 bridges that make up the North Metro Rail Line project, an 18.5-mile commute rail line that will run Denver Union Station through Commerce City, Northglenn and Thornton, Colo.
Bridge design took almost a year-and-a-half, requiring coordination and approval from eight governmental/regional stakeholders, in addition to six engineers to design the structure.
The project didn’t require ballast, which will reduce the overall weight on the bridge. Instead, 7,626 fasteners will attach the rail to the bridge.
Regional Transportation District spokesperson Brenda Tierney said the rail line, when complete, will cross eleven existing transportation corridors and waterways.
