A group of Western Slope pilots are offering their assistance in transporting patients that are impacted by the closure of the U.S. Highway 50 bridge across Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County.
Grand Junction-based pilot Steve Menzies said people in Gunnison and communities east of the closure that have a need to get to a hospital or medical office in Montrose or Grand Junction are left with few good options because of the closure.
“I saw a need,” Menzies said. “We have the ability to do it and it gives back to the community and to people in need. You know, we’re pilots. We like to fly and we just thought why not volunteer some of our time and do it and see what happens.”
The bridge has been under an indefinite closure since April 19 when a safety inspection found a crack in the bridge girder. There are two detour routes of more than 300 miles that take more than six hours. A pilot car through a local access route is available, but only at certain times of day and can also add 30 minutes or more to the trip.
“I’ve heard it’s anywhere from upwards of six hours for the detour to get out of Gunnison and get to Montrose,” Menzies said. “It takes us 45 minutes.”
Menzies said around eight pilots from around the region have volunteered to transport patients using their own planes and fuel. Some are also volunteering with Angel Flight West, a California-based nonprofit that pairs volunteer pilots with patients in need of transportation.
“We’re based out of Grand Junction, Delta, Nucla. I’m in Grand Junction,” Menzies said. “These are your private airplanes, single engine. We fly during the day VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, not instrument conditions. If the weather is good, we can do it.”
The group has not transported patients yet. Menzies said they are just starting to get the word out that they are available. He has a list of the pilots that have volunteered and encouraged anyone in need of their service to call him at 970-640-5637.
“Typically we can fly one person or upwards of three depending on what has to go,” Menzies said. “They can call me if they want and I’ll have a list of names and numbers.”
The Colorado Department of Transportation does not have an estimated date to reopen the bridge. It recommends drivers use cotrip.org to plan trips through that area.