The Swinging Bridge in Browns Park was first constucted in the 1920's. A major upgrade occurred in 1954 when UDWR partnered on reconstucting the bridge. Since that time, upgrades and maintenance have occurred, with additional work being completed in 2010. The bridge has a current capacity of 3 tons. In 2014, a local rancher drove a tractor onto the bridge, resulting in bridge failure in two sections. Since that time, the bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic. An insurance settlement was received by Moffat County, Colorado for the damages. During the inspection process, it was determined that the bridge should be upgraded. The USFWS Browns Park Refuge actually owns the bridge, but Moffat County has a ROW. These two agencies have taken the lead on securing grants and funding to upgrade the bridge from 3 ton weight limit to 14 tons. This will greatly improve the functionality of the bridge and reduce maintenance costs. Part of the grant is to secure partner contributions. The UDWR was approached as an partner of the 1954 construction project. UDWR has been asked to provide up to $20,000 of the $100,000 needed for matching funds. While the Swinging Bridge is actually in Colorado, it is only about 1 mile from the State Line. The Swinging Bridige greatly improves access to both sides of the Green River. The alternative "Jeep Trail" route is very slow and rough. The Swinging Bridge greatly improves travel time and access by sportsmen to the Browns Park area. The bridge also serves the Browns Park WMA headquarters and ponds. The bridge greatly increases travel efficiency for UDWR staff to complete daily work activities. Common sportsman access opportunities the bridge enhances includes: waterfowl hunting, upland game hunting (pheasants and cottontails), big game hunting (deer, elk, moose), and fishing along the Green River.

Partner with Moffat County, USFWS, and others to regain travel and access across the Swinging Bridge, and it increase the bridge load capacity to better facilitate travel in the Browns Park area.

If matching funding is not secured, Moffat County may not be able to maintain their Energy Impact Grant. The grant requires 50% matching funds. If matching funds are not available, the project could be cancelled. Without the bridge, access to the Browns Park area is hindered. While the "Jeep Trail" is available, it is a very long and rough road, and is a detourant for people traveling in the area. The bridge will increase the speed and efficiency of UDWR based workload as well as access by sportsmen.

The bridge supports efforts in many agency plans and road networks.

N/A

N/A

No NEPA or arch clearances needed.

Moffat County has already completed bridge inspections and engineering. Construction of the bridge is planned beginning 2017. The project will be completed through the following activites: 1.) Replace bridge beams 2.) Replace bridge deck 3.) Replace bridge stringers 4.) Replace hanger cables 5.) Replace guard rail 6.) Improve approaches. The bridge will go from a 3 ton weight limit to a 14 ton weight limit. Existing towers, main cables, and anchor blocks will be retained. UDWR will simply develop a grant agreement with Moffat County to provide matching funding, if approved.

Future bridge monitoring and inspection will be completed by Moffat County, Colorado.

There are numerous partners for this project. Those partners include, but are not limited to, the following: Moffat County, Daggett County, Uintah County, USFWS, NPS, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, BLM, Colorado State Land Board, Questar, and Vermillion Ranch.

The USFWS Browns Park Refuge and Moffat County will manage the bridge into the future and are responsible for maintenance of the bridge. Browns Park Refuge will retain ownership of the bridge and Moffat County will have a ROW for the bridge.

Completion of the project will allow livestock to be trailed across the bridge to allotments on either side of the Green River.

04/09/2018

06/30/2018

2018

Moffat County completed engineering of the project. Construction of the bridge is began April 4, 2018. The project was completed through the following activities: 1.) Replacement of bridge beams 2.) Replacement of bridge deck 3.) Replacement of bridge stringers 4.) Replacement of hanger cables 5.) Replacement of guard rail 6.) Improvement of the approaches. The bridge will go from a 3 ton weight limit to a 14 ton weight limit. Existing towers, main cables, and anchor blocks were retained, UDWR developed a grant agreement with Moffat County to provide matching funding.

UDWR contributed $20,000 dollars of funding towards the project. This was paid to Moffat County through an agreement. Construction did not begin until after winter ended in the spring of 2018 with completion of the project in the summer of 2018. The weight limit increased significantly with this project and the new materials will limit maintenance needs into the future.

Moffatt County will complete all inspections and maintenance through a ROW agreement they have in place with the Brown's Park National Wildlife Refuge. UDWR will not have a role in future maintenance.