Re: Silverton Railroad aerial map with photos

The rock bridge was built for the highway use, but is in the same location as the railroad bridge. This section of US 550 was opened in about 1922 as part of the D-S-O highway, or Durango, Silverton, Ouray Highway, and because rail wasn't pulled on the SR until 1926, the road did take an alternative route which is why so much of the SR right-of-way is still reasonably intact. Later relocations had the highway over the top of Red Mountain Pass built directly on top of the roadbed, quite literally, as the ties and road bed form the base of present 550 in that area. About 20 years ago we were at the pass while the highway department was doing shoulder work and they uncovered a sizeable stretch of ties poking out from under the highway, and they just recovered them with fresh fill and gravel. Except that the asphalt is about 18 inches higher than the rail level, heading north is the same view an engineer would have had 80 or more years ago. My imagination slips into high gear when I drive that section, and the few times I've tried to explain what I was seeing to my passengers, all I got in response was the look of "he's over the edge."