Durango officials seek $10 million for temporary bridge after flood damage
Rep. Jeff Hurd and Sen. Michael Bennet met with local leaders to discuss the cost of reopening Highway 160 and securing federal aid for 4,500 displaced residents.
By Adriana Abebe ·
Local leaders in Southwest Colorado are asking for federal help to fund a temporary bridge that could cost more than $10 million. The structure is needed to reopen Highway 160 after floodwaters destroyed the span over the Piedra River. The destruction has forced drivers to take a three-hour detour between the two cities.
The meeting took place as floodwaters began to recede across the region. U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet joined local officials in Durango to review the damage. Their goal is to shift the focus from immediate rescue efforts to the long process of rebuilding. The recovery effort spans the area from Pagosa Springs to Durango.
The human toll of the event is substantial. In La Plata County, more than 1,900 homes were evacuated. Those evacuations affected approximately 4,500 people. Families are currently without permanent housing as crews clear debris and assess the extent of the structural damage.
Hurd said that improving infrastructure capacity is a key part of the discussion. "We need to be thoughtful in terms of how we’re preparing for the next one. But capacity improvements are absolutely something that should be on the table and is being discussed," Hurd stated. He emphasized that the region must plan for future natural disasters while addressing the current crisis.
Bennet noted that reopening roads is a top priority for residents. "One of the things we heard everywhere we went was the importance of getting these roads open again, and that’s another piece of this that we’ve got to get done," he said. The permanent bridge fix is not expected to be finished until after the start of next year.
Both lawmakers plan to push for federal disaster assistance. A major disaster declaration is already pending for the initial flooding event. Leaders indicated that this latest round of damage may require a separate declaration. Bennet said the team will look for every available resource, including Small Business Administration funds, to support local governments and families.
The timeline for recovery is tight. Local officials face pressure to complete cleanup and housing solutions quickly. A harsh winter is expected to arrive soon, which will make the work more difficult and expensive.
