Highway 36 From Lyons To Estes Park To Reopen Monday
LYONS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - One of the main Colorado roads that suffered the most damage from the September floods will reopen Monday, several weeks ahead of schedule, after National Guard troops and the Colorado Department of Transportation worked around the clock to repair the highway.
"Rebuilding state roadways damaged by the flood is critical to getting people back in their homes and businesses completely reopening," Gov. John Hickenlooper said Wednesday.
Colorado highway crews were joined in recent weeks by Army and Air National Guard troops from Colorado, Montana, Utah and Kansas to repair U.S. Highway 36 between Lyons and Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
The transportation department expects to open a portion of U.S. Highway 34 in Greeley by the end of this week, providing a critical trucking route through northeastern Colorado.
State officials say 78 percent of state and federal roadways are now open, with the remaining expected to be open by Dec. 1.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, U.S. Highway 34 is open from Estes Park to Drake for local access only.
About 1,000 Lyons residents returned to their homes last weekend after Xcel Energy relit most pilot lights for natural gas and water service was restored to about 90 percent of the town, with most of the sewer system is operating.
The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment has received a grant of more than $4.6 million in national emergency funds from the U.S Department of Labor allocated to help people secure jobs related to the recovery effort.
Fundraising and volunteer efforts gained momentum this past week with more than $10 million raised in support of the Red Cross, United Way and HelpColoradoNow, with funds set up to help flood victims.
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
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