CDOT Works To Reconnect Communities Any Way Possible
LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado Department of Transportation is trying to connect communities any way possible and then work on long term solutions.
CDOT is actively repairing roads. The most recent opening was the Interstate 25 frontage road in the Longmont and Loveland area, but still there's lots of work to do.
One of the priorities for CDOT is the Highway 36 corridor between Lyons and Estes Park. Work is underway as CDOT has teamed up with the National Guard. All the effort almost came as a surprise to a Pinewood Springs resident Forrest Snider.
"It's Sunday morning and nobody is taking a break," Snider said.
That's CDOT's message -- work is happening and contractors are about to be hired.
"They will be notified and they will be under contract hopefully by tomorrow, and the goal really is speed at this point," CDOT spokesperson Amy Ford said.
Speed is the priority, not money. So far CDOT reports 14 road closures due to the damage from flooding. Contractors are not bidding based on cost but on their qualifications.
"Who can best do this job? What are the skill sets they bring? Do they have previous experience doing disaster recovery? What is their experience in Colorado?" Ford said.
Then contractors will be paid for the work they do, but the sheer size and scope of the job is likely going to tax the state's resources.
"We're going to be looking at things like, do we have enough supplies? Do we have enough aggregate? And do we have enough base to actually rebuild a lot of these roads?" Ford said.
CDOT expects to reach out to other state partners. The key is progress.
"I have a new level of encouragement to get back to my beautiful home, sooner than later," Snider said.
CDOT has received several offers of help from companies and other state agencies. They're evaluating it all to see how it might be used.
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.
