It’s not often that Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert agrees with Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.

When it comes to the city of Glenwood Springs’ long sought-after South Bridge project, though, the three members of Colorado’s congressional delegation were unanimous — the infrastructure undertaking is critical.

“This is about safety and ­protecting the people of Colorado and our constituents. That’s a really easy thing to support,” Deputy Chief and Communications Director for Congresswoman Lauren Boebert Benjamin Stout said in an interview on Friday. “We’re still trying to figure out the best way to be supportive. Those conversations are kind of ongoing right now. I believe that we’re just starting to draft some things up.”

In 2002, a coal seam fire forced the evacuation of thousands of Glenwood Springs residents and illustrated the need for an additional escape route for motorists. South Bridge, if constructed, would serve as one of two — paved — evacuation routes for thousands of south Glenwood Springs and Garfield County residents.

Since then, the city of Glenwood Springs has applied for grants and set aside roughly $20 million worth of bonding capacity through its Acquisition and Improvement (A&I) Fund for the more than $50 million infrastructure project.

Although Boebert has not issued a formal letter of support for the South Bridge project, Stout indicated that one would be released in the “immediate future.”

The city of Glenwood Springs is currently seeking $27 million through a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant. According to a May 5 letter signed by Bennet and Hickenlooper and addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, both senators described the South Bridge project as being “critical.”

Read the full article at Aspen Daily News