State Leaders Officially Reopen Highway 36 In Lyons
LYONS, Colo. (CBS4) - Nearly one year after historic flooding Colorado state leaders celebrated reaching a major milestone in the recovery effort.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Cory Gardner and Sen. Mark Udall were among state leaders to officially reopen U.S. Highway 36 at Longmont Dam Road Monday morning.
"The flooding that began nearly a year ago will be forever etched in Colorado history. But what will also endure is the story of how Coloradans responded," Hickenlooper said in a statement.
Flooding last September washed away stretches of the road between Lyons and Estes Park.
It's the first of more than 20 flood-related repair projects the Colorado Department of Transportation is working on. Construction is nearly complete, but still expect some road closures along Highway 36 through the end of September.
Engineers say the floods taught them a lesson -- see where the river wants to flow and design the roads around it.
"The idea behind this design is to push into the mountain, elevate it in some cases, but basically have it sit on bedrock," Project Engineer Chris Boespflug said.
According to the governor's office, the floods affected 24 counties and covered more than 2,000 square miles, causing approximately $3 billion in damage. The state's infrastructure sustained approximately $1.7 billion of the damage.
The floods were responsible for 10 deaths and displaced more than 18,000 people.
"We are committed to a 100-percent recovery for local communities. It will take time, but working together with our local, state and federal partners we will continue to build back better and stronger," Hickenlooper said in a statement.
A "day of service" is planned for the 1-year anniversary of the floods this Saturday where people are encouraged to volunteer on rebuilding projects.
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