When the Aspen Acres Fire destroyed a bridge on Colorado Highway 165, transportation crews had just hours to restore one of the area's most important emergency routes.
Their response caught the attention of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who traveled to southern Colorado this week to personally thank the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) workers responsible for rebuilding the crossing overnight.
Polis visited the temporary bridge near Beulah to hand out letters of appreciation and recognize the crew's rapid response, calling transportation workers an important part of the state's emergency response during disasters, according to CBS Colorado.
Bridge rebuilt in less than 11 hours
The original bridge at milepost 16.5 on CO 165 was destroyed on June 30 as the Aspen Acres Fire swept through the area under extreme fire conditions, according to CDOT.
The crossing was a critical route for firefighters, emergency personnel and residents evacuating the wildfire, leaving crews little time to restore access.
CDOT said maintenance crews mobilized that afternoon, installing large, corrugated metal pipes beneath the roadway before rebuilding the crossing with recycled fill material. Work began around 2 p.m., and by approximately 1 a.m., the temporary one-lane bridge was open to traffic, restoring access in less than 11 hours.
According to the agency, the emergency crossing continues to serve the community while a permanent bridge replacement is planned.
Governor thanks crews for stepping up
Polis said the bridge rebuild showed how transportation workers become first responders during emergencies by keeping roads open for firefighters and ensuring evacuation routes remain accessible, according to CBS Colorado.
During the visit, he thanked the crew for stepping up during one of Colorado's largest wildfires and praised the speed of the rebuild.
Executive Director Shoshana Lew also commended the maintenance team, saying the rapid reconstruction restored a critical transportation link when it was needed most, according to CDOT.
Reconnecting a community
The Aspen Acres Fire forced the closure of part of CO 165, creating a detour of roughly 100 miles, according to CDOT. Reopening the crossing helped reconnect the area while firefighting operations continued.
The Aspen Acres Fire had burned nearly 100,000 acres as of July 14 and was 38% contained, according to CBS Colorado. The fire has destroyed hundreds of homes and remains one of Colorado's largest active wildfires.
CDOT said the temporary bridge will remain in place until a permanent replacement can be designed and constructed.
Sources: CBS Colorado, CDOT
