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Construction on City Reach 2B of the Resilient St. Vrain project (RSVP) begins this month. Work in this section will improve the St. Vrain Creek by relocating the creek channel; adding retaining wall sections—which are also being installed in City Reach 2A west of South Pratt Parkway; replacing the existing Price Road pedestrian bridge with a longer bridge that will span the new creek channel; and planting native vegetation to enhance wildlife habitat through the area.
As part of City Reach 2B construction, the City of Longmont also will replace the existing BSNF Railroad Bridge near Price Road with a wider, longer bridge that is capable of passing water up to the 100-year flood flow levels. During the September 2013 flood, the existing railroad bridge was a pinch point that contributed to major flooding in Longmont’s commercial, industrial and residential areas along the St. Vrain Creek.
Resilient St. Vrain is the City of Longmont’s extensive, multi-year undertaking to fully restore the St. Vrain Greenway and improve the St. Vrain Creek channel to protect people, property and infrastructure from future flooding. It began in response to the devastating flooding in 2013 that damaged much of Longmont. Work on the project is moving upstream (west) along the creek channel toward Longmont’s western border at Airport Road in phases.
This latest section, City Reach 2B, follows the St. Vrain Creek from the end of City Reach 2A, just west of South Pratt Parkway upstream (to the west) to Price Road. Work in this area is anticipated to last through fall 2020.
L&M Construction has been awarded the construction contract for City Reach 2B. The company is currently constructing the City Reach 2A portion of the Resilient St. Vrain project from Main Street to just west of the South Pratt Parkway Bridge, which is anticipated for completion this fall. L&M also completed RSVP’s Sandstone Ranch reach.
The BNSF Railroad Bridge replacement will be handled by subcontractor Structures, Inc., a Colorado company with extensive experience in rebuilding and replacing railroad bridges and other structures.
Restoration of the St. Vrain Greenway trail throughout Longmont will continue through City Reach 2B. Because of replacement of the railroad and pedestrian bridges as well as other construction through the reach, the existing greenway route will be closed to users, removed and ultimately replaced. A 1.5-mile, on-street detour will route trail users around the work zone. View a map of the detour at bit.ly/stvrain-trail-detour . Recreational users are encouraged to explore other trails through Longmont, including following the St. Vrain Greenway east to Sandstone Ranch or riding along the Left Hand Greenway. Visit bit.ly/bicycling-longmont for access to the Longmont Bike Map and for information on open, partially closed and closed trails.
For more information, visit LongmontColorado.gov/ResilientStVrain or call 303-651-8416.
