LYONS

The 2nd Ave Bridge reopens after a total rebuild: It is one of the last projects to be completed after the flood

By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor

“No man ever steps in the same river twice for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.”

Heraclitus, Greek philosopher

LYONS – Over 70 people gathered at the top of the brand new 2nd Ave. Bridge in 90 plus degree heat to celebrate one of the last flood recovery projects 7 years and 10

months after the 500 year flood ripped the small town of Lyons into a pool of disconnected islands.

The infrastructure was decimated. There was no electricity, no running water, no sewer and almost no connecting roads. Lyons Mayor, Julie Van Domolen was on an assignment for the World Bank in Africa. And so many hundreds of people, groups, organizations came to help. They even came from other countries.

Everyone thought that the town would be rebuilt stronger and better in about 3 years, possibly 4. I don’t think that anyone on that day after the flood thought that we would all be standing on the rebuilt 2nd Ave. Bridge eight years later celebrating the new bridge.

Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen, started her speech with the quote above, by Heroclitis. She said that the 2nd Ave. Bridge was originally built in 1973 as a temporary bridge and it was never meant to last as long as it did. The 139-foot bridge had cracks in all of the pilings supporting the original structure and had to be rebuilt.

Following the 500+-year flood of 2013, 2nd Ave Bridge was rebuilt to be more resilient and able to withstand a 100-year flood event. During the 2013 flood event, debris built up on the piers of the 2nd Ave. Bridge, which caused flooding of the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, destroying the Town’s Public Works Storage building and equipment, and completely washing away the McConnell Bridge downstream.

The 2nd Ave. Bridge was designed and constructed to allow for higher stream flows and debris to pass so that infrastructure downstream will not be destroyed. The reconstructed bridge was primarily funded through FEMA with some assistance from the State’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program, totaling $3.1 million.

The construction project was awarded in September 2020 to prime contractor, Zak Dirt Construction. Since breaking ground in October 2020, construction occurred throughout the following eight months, with final punch list items to be completed in July 2021.

This particular bridge over the confluence of the North and South St Vrain Creeks, is a primary local connection to a significant portion of town facilities and residences, including two housing subdivisions, a local church, the recycling center, waste

water treatment plant, and Bohn Park with approximately 55 acres of Town parkland. Flood manager Tracy Sanders, said the town has three flood recovery projects left to complete: replacing a pedestrian bridge on Fourth Avenue and Evans Street; a

storm water project in Bohn Park; and a backup power project for the public works building.

“Including the 2nd Ave. Bridge, we’ve managed 108 flood projects, along with grant applications and requirements, that totaled $75 million,” Lyons Mayor Nick Angelo said.

John Hickenlooper, who was serving as governor at the time of the flood and now a Colorado US senator, said to those gathered, “Lyons became the model for the entire state of what resiliency could mean. The next time we have a 100-year flood

here, this bridge will stand through the whole thing– I guarantee it.”

The 2nd Ave Bridge was dedicated in honor of James L. Blankenship, who served as the Town Engineer from 2002 to 2019. He died of cancer two years ago. Administrator Simonsen said she had worked firsthand and side by side with Jim Blankenship and she saw throughout the flood, how thorough Jim was about every detail. His paperwork was always in order and all the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) forms were filled out correctly. She said she saw firsthand how Blankenship worked tirelessly to help repair the town following the disaster. When Blankenship heard news of the flood he tried to get to town, when roads were torn away and underwater and the entire town evacuated, Simonsen recalled. He rode in on huge National Guard truck. “like a knight in shining armor.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure if he ever went home in those first few weeks. During that time, Jim was devoted to helping assess the damage and determining how to restore water and temporary wastewater (treatment) so that our residents could come home. Jim worked tirelessly so that this bridge wasn’t simply repaired. He insisted it be replaced, higher and without piers to protect residents in the next disaster, Simonsen said.”

The bridge’s completion is a testament to just a portion of Blankenship’s work to help Lyons, she said. A temporary plaque for Blankenship was shown when Senator Hickenlooper spoke during the dedication for the bridge on Thursday. The plaque will be replaced with a permanent bronze version in the future.

“To some of us this is a street that’s finally re-opening, for others it’s the end of a project, but likely this structure is also symbolic in other ways: bridging the past and future, demonstrating the strength of a community, reconnecting two neighborhoods,” Simonsen said.

Senator Hickenlooper said, “Lyons is back.”

The long-awaited opening and dedication of the 2nd Ave. Bridge took place on a very hot July 8, 2021, 7 years after it was destroyed

in the flood of 2013. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER

Friends of Lyons, Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator John Hickenlooper were present for the event. Visible to their left is the temporary plaque marking the dedication of the bridge in honor of Jim Blakenship. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

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These two poems, by local poets, were read at the dedication of the 2nd Ave. Bridge on July 8.

Listen to the Rivers

By Vance French Listen to the rivers sing all the things the rivers bring to our little town: Two rivers harmonize turn to one before our eyes rains fall the rivers rise. Foothills ringing with the sounds of our little rivers our little town. Keep the rivers clean and free and hear them sing to you and me ripple in the morning sun to bring the rivers round full force ‘til they sing in hardy chorus. Listen to the rivers sing all the things the rivers bring all the happiness I own here in my little Lyons.

Tributaries of Strength

By Sara Olson Ripple in stillness Stones define paths Floods change direction The water continues to flow Fires slither through the trees Currents whirlwind Paths are disrupted now The water continues to flow Stones, debris, footprints, air Slows, but never halts Rocky roads lead back home The water continues to flow

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