“Fix the streets” is a common refrain in Lyons, as in most towns.

Where does Lyons stand on streets (and sidewalks)?

Citizens’ Views

A good place to start is, “What do citizens think?”

In 2025, a Town survey on budget priorities attracted the most citizen responses ever.  Their top priorities were:

Infrastructure (streets/water-sewer/stormwater) – 55

Wildfire mitigation – 36

Economic development – 32

Housing – 7 

Which streets did they identify as their highest priority? 

2nd Ave. (21)

3rd Ave. (10)

5th Ave. (10)

What is the Town Doing?

It’s doing studies, as usual.  The latest is a 2024 Pavement Options Report, found here: https://townoflyons.com/DocumentCenter/View/2931/Lyons_2024-Pavement-Options-Report?bidId=   

The report is long and written in “consultantese”.  A quick summary:  57% of Lyons streets are in good shape, 16% are fair, and 27% are poor to very poor (failed streets).  Budget choices must be made between big one-time costs to fix failed streets or spending money over time to maintain not-yet-failed streets.  There’s not enough money to do both things to the extent desired. 

In recent years, the Town has leaned more toward maintaining not-yet-failed streets, doing things like chip seal overlays.  But currently under review is what it would take to fix failed upper 2nd Ave. and also upper 3rd Ave.

That would be a huge project for Lyons, partly because stormwater drainage must also be dealt with.  As pictured, 2nd Ave. is crumbling away due to rain and snowmelt to the point of 9-inch potholes and scattered pieces of asphalt.  It makes no sense to do a new street and let stormwater wash it away.

So 2nd//3rd Ave. would be a combined stormwater/streets project.  

How to Pay for It?

Potential funding sources include a low-interest state loan fund for stormwater projects, repaid with the 0.5 cent sales tax increase Lyons voters approved in 2024. The 0.5 cent sales tax money has been set aside since it began accruing in mid-2024.  By year-end 2026, about $924,000 plus earned interest will be available.

Other possible funding sources: (1) an existing streets capital fund with a $219,000 projected year-end balance and (2) $200,000 budgeted (but not yet allocated) for 2026 streets work.

Sidewalks

What about sidewalks, you might ask.  That’s a complex, controversial subject (some people love sidewalks, others think they’re wasteful and unnecessary) suitable for its own post, but suffice it to say sidewalks are expensive and can add a lot to streets costs.  (Note that sidewalks weren’t done post-flood on Evans, Park & Prospect Streets in the Confluence, based on residents’ preferences.) 

A 2024 sidewalk study (excuse me, “Pedestrian Network Plan” in consultantese) estimated $4.7 million for top priority Lyons sidewalks, with breakdowns of individual segments:  

Sidewalk Study

We don’t have $4.7 mil for sidewalks.  (However, a grant-funded Safe Routes to School sidewalks project is underway for the elementary school area, with construction expected in the next year.  That’s a top priority for me.) 

Summary

I believe citizens’ views should be respected when prioritizing expenditures for infrastructure (including streets), wildfire mitigation and economic development over other things, including housing.  Likewise as to prioritizing among streets projects, with sidewalks funding less of a priority and subject to public input.  There’s not enough money to do everything we’d like, so prioritizing is crucial.