The new US-191 bridges over the Colorado River blend seamlessly with the spectacular landscape of Utah’s Canyonlands region. Utah’s first segmental concrete bridges were built from above in balanced cantilever to allow for continual recreational use of the river and surrounding trails during construction. Longer spans ensure a minimal bridge footprint, protecting a sensitive environment home to several endangered species.

A unique public involvement process, led by GM2's Complex Bridge staff, ensured a design representative of the community’s vision of “A Bridge in Harmony with the Environment”. The community chose the bridge pier shape, railing details, abutment treatments, and bridge color to create a bridge that appears to be born of the earth.

The context sensitive design blends the bridge with its canyon environment, keeping the focus on nature. Following a study of the site to achieve the most efficient bridge layout, GM2's Complex Bridge staff designed the bridge with long open spans and only one pier in the river to minimize impacts to the environment and recreational uses of the river. With a main span length of 438 feet, the new twin bridges also set a record as Utah’s longest concrete bridge span.

This award-winning, eco-friendly bridge was constructed in less than two years; it opened to traffic in November 2010.