Work will begin Monday, Feb. 17 along a stretch of the Crystal River where erosion has destabilized the riverbank and is threatening the Crystal Trail.
Gould Construction has been awarded a contract to stabilize the steep bank and prevent the Crystal Trail from further deterioration. There will be heavy machinery in the river and, at some point, it will be necessary to close the Crystal Trail to facilitate the project, according to Gary Tennenbaum, director of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails.
The construction site is at Hwy. 133 and Thomas Road, south of Carbondale, where the Crystal River bends toward the highway and erosion is undercutting the Crystal Trail next to the roadway.
“After last spring’s long runoff, it is imperative that we undertake this project now, while the river flows are low. We could see another big runoff season this spring,” Tennenbaum said.
The major in-stream work is scheduled to be complete by March 15, with completion of the full project by June. The project will include modification of the river channel, bank stabilization and establishing native vegetation on the eroded riverbank.
Go to https://pitkincounty.com/list.aspx to sign up for email alerts from Open Space and Trails regarding trail closures and other activities that impact trail users.
Contact: Gary Tennenbaum, director of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, at 970-920-5355 or gary.tennenbaum@pitkincounty.com
