The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed State Highway (SH) 67 to through traffic between Florence and Wetmore until further notice due to bridge damage from this week's heavy rain storms.

Water was flowing over the bridge, five miles north of Wetmore, which may have contributed to the structure sinking about five feet below the road surface on Tuesday night. The bridge is made of wood and built in 1952. It was rated in good condition.

CDOT staff is on-site Wednesday, evaluating what repairs will be necessary to reopen the bridge to traffic.

Local traffic will be able to access areas north and south of the bridge. Through traffic will need to use the following detours:

· Areas north of the bridge - U.S. 50
· Areas south of bridge - From Pueblo: SH 96; points west of Wetmore: SH 69 & SH 96

Approximately 1,300 vehicles use this segment of SH 67 daily.  Additional information will be distributed after a bridge inspection has been conducted.

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511.