Safe Route to Schools pedestrian sidewalk and bridge has grand opening
PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN SPRING, copyright 2022 — BEST SEEN on COMPUTER Screen
Lyons Work Schedule, April to October 2022
Final 2013 Flood Project (except for trail, which is not funded at this time)
4th Ave Pedestrian Bridge, Trail and Sidewalks
From Bohn Park along 4th Avenue over N. St Vrain Creek up to High St. and Lyons Elementary School
This project entails reconnecting the south neighborhood with the north to provide a safe route to the schools. A new pedestrian bridge constructed over St. Vrain Creek and sidewalks built along 4th Avenue from Prospect Street to High Street.
April – May — See weekly schedule: HERE Bridge and Trail has begun mobilization and construction . The area near the St Vrain and Park St, Evans and 4th Ave will have the most work in the coming months as the work progresses in the river to install the bridge abutments. Construction of a new sidewalk and ADA ramps on the west side of 4th Ave. from Evans St. to Railroad Ave. has begun. The bridge was fabricated in Wisconsin and transported to Lyons. The project is funded with $1M in Federal/State Funds to date.
June – July — There was a conflict with the proposed placement of the caisson and the existing retaining wall on the south bank. Both staff and the contractor are waiting on new direction and design from the engineers. They have enough information to start work in the south side. In the meantime, the contractor has completed the sidewalk work up to the bridge approaches along with some trail work. Full details HERE.
August — Forming and pouring of the new pedestrian bridge abutments and footings; and forming and pouring concrete sidewalks and ramps; and walls on either side of the bridge
Traffic Impacts – the ”Curve” at Evans and 4th Avenue closed during the project.
Grand Opening ceremony
Nine years after the Great Flood of 2013, the pedestrian bridge that safely and quickly connects south Lyons with north Lyons was completed. In addition, new sidewalks were installed, going east and north from the bridge, were part of the project. Parents will no longer have to worry about their kids walking along busy Highway 7 to get home. And, all residents can enjoy a safer walk along 4th Avenue, which previously had some missing gaps between pieces of pavement, or irregular surfaces.
The bridge was named after Dave and Janet Orbach, who devoted much of their lives to the Lyons Cemetery, including maintaining the registry and plots, and the tombstone installations, and aiding the memorial ceremonies. A permanent sign will be placed on the bridge. Crystal White was honored because of her assistance to folks who suffered flood damage in 2013, and other good deeds over the years. A sign stating Crystal Way was installed on the ramp leading to the south side of the bridge. Congratulations!
The Middle/High School Band, lead by director Karen Gregg, led the students over the bridge. As well as the New Orleans-style Ditch band, who also enhanced the excitement. Dozens of residents waited on the south side of the bridge to hear officials dedicate the “Safe Route.” Almost all the staff from Town Hall were present, particularly those who helped the town recover from the flood, and Mayor Hollie Rogin.
October is Pedestrian Month “Walktober”
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) encourages schools across Colorado to participate in Walk to School Day (October) and Bike to School Day (May) each year. Walk and Bike to School Days are great opportunities to galvanize visibility for walking and bicycling to and from school. They are wonderful times to get kids out practicing their skills and safety rules and for parents and caregivers to experience how safe and fun it is for their child(ren) to walk and bike to and from school.
October is Colorado Pedestrian Month, making any day in ‘Walktober’ a great choice for promoting walking and walkability. Since 1997, communities have been gathering to celebrate the many benefits of walking safely to and from school. There is always an internationally promoted date, typically the first Wednesday in October.
Colorado Safe Routes to School grant program
Colorado Safe Routes to School (SRTS) uses a comprehensive approach to make school routes safe for children when walking and bicycling to school. CDOT administers Colorado’s SRTS program. In Colorado, many communities, parents and schools are fostering a safe environment for their students by using SRTS programs to not only fund education and safe infrastructure, but also to encourage healthy options for our children that are safe for both walking and bicycling.
Why is this program important?
SRTS programs can improve safety, not just for children, but for the entire community. It provides opportunities for people to increase their physical activity and improve their health. It reduces congestion and pollution around our schools and encourages partnerships.
In 1969, roughly half of all five to 18 year olds walked or biked to school. Nearly 90 percent are driven by auto or bus to school today. SRTS is a Federal-Aid and state-funded program to enable children to walk and bike safely.
