With the new resiliency measures incorporated into the project, canyon residents will have, at a minimum, emergency access through the corridor during the next event. Optimizing the traffic control allowed CDOT to invest more of their budget in resiliency in the corridor.
These closures helped maintain public safety while enabling crews to maximize the number of roadway and river corridor resiliencies in a short time frame. The project took a unique approach to traffic control, closing the canyon to through travel during two consecutive winter seasons. On the US 34 project, we implemented several innovative and resilient solutions such as: Governor John Hickenlooper reassured Coloradans post-flood that the state would “build back better than before,” which guided the innovative design solutions approach for the design team on the complex project that included 23 miles of high-altitude, winding roadway, in a narrow mountain corridor with no cell service.Īs infrastructure is increasingly impacted by natural disasters and agencies are challenged to do more with less – incorporating flexible and innovative solutions is key to more resilient upgrades, and quicker, lower-cost repairs in the event of future devastation. Having experienced similar devastation during a 1976 flood, CDOT wasn’t satisfied with implementing a short-term end solution rather, they committed to completing emergency, temporary repairs, followed by a flexible and resilient permanent solution – engaging Jacobs as the prime consultant and design lead. Numerous residents were isolated and cut-off with no access out of the canyon. In the “Narrows” section of the canyon, much of the roadway and grade were undermined, washing out the pavement and embankment from below and exposing the wall tie-back support systems. Major sections of the US 34 roadway were washed away completely, along with access bridges and retaining walls. The Big Thompson River canyons sustained widespread, massive damage. The extensive rainfall and duration resulted in flow surges exceeding the 500–year flood event.
Colorado’s September 2013 floods remain the costliest natural disaster in the state’s history.
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