Documents:
News from Harry
Summer Picnic
We have set the date for our Association Summer Picnic. It will be Sunday, September 14 at 11:30am. Lou and Autumn Montgomery were kind enough to offer to host the picnic. They live at 610 Meadow View Drive. The Association will supply Brats, Burgers, Hot dogs, Buns, Soda, Condiments, plates, napkins and utensils. We are asking attendees to bring their favorite side dish, snack, desert, beer or other beverage. Picnic activities will include foosball, ping-pong, basketball and horseshoes. We would appreciate a RSVP by September 6 in order to be sure we purchase enough food. Please RSVP by calling Harry or Jael at 303-670-0085 or email at hjd173@aol.com.
Congressman Udall Visit
Our US House Representative Mark Udall will be spending the entire day in Clear Creek County on Tuesday, August 12. His schedule is listed below. I would encourage everyone to attend one of these meetings to listen to Rep. Udall and let him know what concerns you have for the county, state and the nation.
10:45am - 12pm
Georgetown Loop Railroad Ride with the Chamber of Commerce. Please call Casey Samuel at 303-567-2330 or email at kcpft4u@mac.com if you are interested in attending. Tickets cost $7.
12pm – 1:15pm
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Red Ram Restaurant in Georgetown. Please call Casey Samuel at 303-567-2330 or email at kcpft4u@mac.com if you are interested in attending. Cost is $10 for Chamber members and $12 for non-members.
1:30pm - 2:45pm
Work Session with the Board of County Commissioners in the Georgetown Community Center.
3:45pm – 4:45pm
Meeting with the Open Space Commission to discuss the Clear Creek Greenway Initiative. This meeting will take place outside next to the Stanley Road/I-70 underpass at the West end of Idaho Springs.
5pm to 6pm
Town Hall Meeting in the Idaho Springs City Hall
County Fire Ban
Clear Creek County has again established a fire ban due to the high fire danger this time of year. The fire ban includes all of the unincorporated areas of Clear Creek County. The following items are prohibited.
-Anything which produces an open flame or has the potential to create an uncontrolled fire
-Any fire used to burn trash, slash or debris
-Campfires and warming fires
-Charcoal or wood barbecues
-Fireworks
Fully enclosed propane or natural gas barbecue grills and liquid fuel stoves are allowed if they are attended at all times.
PLEASE DO NOT THROW CIGARETTE BUTTS FROM YOUR VEHICLE. This is violation of state law and can be extremely dangerous in a residential area with high fire danger, (like Hyland Hills!).
Chipper Rental
We are scheduling our chipper rental for the weekend of August 23 and 24. I am in the process of putting together our list of volunteers and list of locations for chipping.
Please let me know if you are interested in having slash chipped at your residence or if you are interested in being a volunteer to help in the chipping process, either to pull the chipper or as a worker to feed the chipper. The chipping exercise is fairly labor intensive and we recommend that our volunteers wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, dust masks, ear plugs, gloves and a face shield. Please email me at hjd173@aol.com or call me at 303-670-0085 ASAP if you would like to be involved in the chipper weekend.
It is my intention to inspect all potential chipping locations during the weekend of August 16 and 17 in order to gage the amount of time we will need at each location, make sure the slash is located close to the road where we can access it with the chipper, and make sure there is an appropriate place to blow the chips. All homeowners with material to be chipped should collect their slash in one place as close to the road as possible in order to expedite the chipping process. We do not want our volunteers to have to move the slash more than a few feet to feed it into the chipper. We would also like to have an area available to blow the chips onto your property that doesn’t interfere with a drainage ditch or culvert entrance/exit.
Wildland-Urban Interface Grant
Clear Creek County has received grant funds from the state for a slash removal program. Essentially the program will allow free slash disposal at the transfer station south of Idaho Springs on Soda Creek Road through September. You will be required to fill out the required paperwork which itemizes your time for the in kind grant match contribution.
The state also has a defensible space grant program that could potentially reimburse you for 50 percent of the defensible space clearing you do on your property up to $1200. You would be required to have a defensible space inspection from a Colorado State Forester and complete all work as documented by the state forester by a specified date. Reimbursable expenses could be landowner labor, consumables such as gas/oil for chainsaw, truck or chipper, equipment rentals, or contractor’s fees. There is a waiting list for this program, so if you are interested please call Brenda Orth at 303-279-9757.
Beaver Brook Watershed
Your efforts are needed more than ever this year! The Senate and the House Appropriations committees have debated the appropriations levels for the proposed federal purchase of lands with funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The House version made no recommendation for appropriation for the Watershed. In fact, the House allocated only $11 million for Forest Service acquisitions nationwide. Fortunately, the Senate version of the Appropriation bill recommended $6 million for Beaver Brook Watershed for 2004. Funding for the Watershed depends on Congress reaching a compromise.
Please FAX the chairmen of both the House and Senate Appropriations committees and Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell to encourage their support of the Senate version that earmarks $6 million for the Watershed. This is, once again, a critical time for public input. Here are some points to include in your faxes.
- Ask the Congressmen to support full funding of Beaver Brook Watershed, including the $6 million in support of the President’s and the Senate Appropriations Committee’s fiscal ’04 request.
- The location of Beaver Brook Watershed, adjacent to the Arapaho National Forest, makes it a perfect fit for Forest Service purchase.
- It is easily accessed from the popular and scenic State Highway 103 and is only 45 minutes from Denver.
- The watershed is the missing link in a 17-mile forest corridor between Bergen Park in Evergreen and Mt. Evans to the west.
- The funding to date has allowed for the purchase of 3,303 of the 5,700 total acres desired for acquisition and protection. The remaining acreage is the most vulnerable to development, and is therefore the most critical and the most expensive. Acquisition must be complete.
Thank the Congressmen for the $11.1 million appropriated to date toward purchase of the Beaver Brook Watershed by the US Forest Service. If you have any questions, please contact Mountain Area Land Trust Executive Director Ginny Ades at 303-679-0950, or Mel Andrew, MALT Vice President, 303-674-5097.
Charles H. Taylor, Chairman Conrad Burns, Chairman
House Appropriations Committee Senate Appropriations Committee
Fax:202-226-6422 Fax: 202-228-4532
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Senate Appropriations Committee
Fax: 202-228-4609
CDOT Gaming Area Environmental Impact Study - (improved access to Blackhawk and Central City)
The Gaming Area EIS Technical Advisory Team meetings will reconvene beginning Wednesday, August 13 at the Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center, Ballroom B. This meeting will be from 11am to 2pm. A second Gaming Area EIS meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 from 11am to 2pm. It is anticipated that the identification of the preferred alternative will be discussed at the September 10 meeting.
The recent sale of the Southern Access Road bonds will allow the Central City Business Improvement District to begin construction of the road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August of 2003 and complete by September/October 2004. The imminent construction of the Southern Access Road will dictate a number of changes in the Gaming Area EIS. The first change is that the SAR will now be considered an existing condition and will be part of the No Action alternative. A number of alternatives have been eliminated as a result. The remaining alternatives are listed below.
No Action Alternative, (publicly funded conceptual costs, $14.1 million)
Includes safety improvements within the current CDOT right of way on US 6 from I-70, (Exit 244, Kermitt’s), to Golden and on SH 119 from the junction of US6 to Blackhawk. The construction of the SAR which will run from the I-70 interchange in Hidden Valley, (Exit 243), to just outside Central City will be considered as a component of the No Action alternative.
SDMD Alternative, (publicly funded conceptual costs, $61.6 million)
A new tunnel will be built at Exit 244 that will connect I-70 to SH 119. The new Silver Dollar Metro District Tunnel will have four general purpose travel lanes and connect to SH 119 at mile post 2.8. SH 119 widening to four general purpose travel lanes will be included from mile post 2.8 to Blackhawk. Also included are safety improvements within the current CDOT right of way on US 6 from I-70, (Exit 244, Kermitt’s), to Golden. An additional version of this alternative will include a Bus/High Occupancy Vehicle Lane.
SH 119 Alternative (publicly funded conceptual costs, $90 million)
SH 119 widening from two to four general purpose travel lanes from the intersection of US6 and SH 119 to Blackhawk. Also included are safety improvements within the current CDOT right of way on US 6 from I-70, (Exit 244, Kermitt’s), to Golden. An additional version of this alternative will include a Bus/High Occupancy Vehicle Lane.
Saddleback Propane Group
We have received the proposal from All Star
for this year's Propane Program.
2003 - 2004 Details are as follows.
- No Annual Tank Rental Charge
- No Chain-up Fee during inclement weather conditions. However, your effort
is needed to maintain the access on the scheduled route day.
- No Enrollment Fee
- 24 hour emergency service.
- Should the customer be dissatisfied with the service, there is no
disconnect fee or charges (i.e.: disconnect, tank transport and re-stock
charge).
- There is no penalty for under or over usage. The allocated figure is for
information only.
- The agreement is intended to be for a one (1) year period from the date of
contract execution unless another arrangement is agreed upon, (9/01/03 to
8/30/04).
Should any customer be dissatisfied with the service or sell their property during the contract period, there will be no disconnect charge, (i.e.: disconnect and tank pickup/transport), nor will there be a restocking charge. Unused gas dollars on a Pre-Buy program will be reimbursed, but may take 6-8 weeks for dispersal. Obviously it would be the homeowner's responsibility to provide All Star Gas with a new address to send the refund to, if the homeowner has moved.
The programs are as follows:
1. Cap Program,
(Regular Monthly Fill Up)
$1.499 per gallon maximum rate for contract length, (1 year from 9/01/03 to
8/30/04).
There is no minimum amount required and your tank is filled monthly. The $1.499 per gallon represents the maximum price throughout the life of the contract which is a change from last year. Should a lower price prevail, you will be charged the lower price. At any time during the contract year you can request the monthly fill up service to be discontinued. You must inform All Star Gas in order to discontinue monthly service after which time you will be placed on a "will call" basis. You will then be responsible to monitor the propane level in your tank and inform All Star when you need more gas. On a "will call" basis, you must request delivery. Should you desire delivery on an off route date, a fee may apply.
As an accommodation for the monthly program, an Easy Pay Plan can be arranged. It is required that you select a purchase period of 10 months. Illustration: You select 1,700 gallons at $1.499 cost per gallon =$2,548.30.. The requisite monthly payment will be $212.36.
During the warm months, a credit build-up will result. Therefore, there will be a withdrawal of money from the account as the demand increases.
2. Pre-Buy Program
$1.049 per gallon through June 1, 2004, and a maximum rate of $1.499 per
gallon for the remaining contract period, (1 year from 9/01/03 to 8/30/04).
You should determine from past usage your anticipated need through June 1, 2004. You are required to pay for the entire determined amount of gas at the time of contract execution, which shall be prior to September 1, 2003. The gas is stored and delivered on a monthly basis at the agreed price through June 1, 2004. Should you have dollars left over in your account after June 1, 2004, you will be charged no more than $1.499 per gallon which is a change from last year. Should a lower price be prevalent, you will be the charged the lower price. If you over purchase gas on the pre-buy at the contract expiration date, you may elect to roll the amount over into the next year pre-buy, or cash out with no penalty or charges. Any credit due may not be received for a period of 6-8 weeks.
A Minimum of 600 GALLONS is required under the pre-buy program which is a change from last year.
Contacts have been made to determine the prices quoted for other groups. All Star Gas appears to have offered a fair price. This is based on recent pricing and expected pricing for this coming year. In addition there are a number of features offered by All Star at no cost that makes their program attractive.
The cut- off date for Association members to commit to the above outlined contracts is 9/1/03. The contract must be received by All Star Gas no later than 9/1/03.
It is requested that you contact Harvey Bransky if you decide to commit to an All Star Gas contract or if you decide otherwise. Harvey will provide All Star with the information and request that a contract form be sent to you should you want to remain a part of the group. You can call Harvey at 303-567-1714 or email at cookiegladharv@earthlink.net.
3. Another Pre-Buy option is currently available.
All Star Gas will accommodate a potential or existing Pre-Buy customer who desires to pay in increments for three months instead of all at once. All Star Gas will accept a three month payment plan that will cost the customer $1.129 per gallon rather than $1.049 per gallon.
The plan will work in this way:
One Half, (50%), of the required intended usage monies will be due on the 1st month and the remaining monies will be due 25% on each of the two remaining months.
You must still provide All Star Gas with a Pre-Buy contract by 9/1/03, however your payments for the complete Pre-Buy amount will extend through November of 2003, (50% due 9/01/03, 25% due 10/01/03 and 25% due 11/01/03).
Should this modification be best for you, please contact All Star Gas to make the arrangements. Make sure the contract includes this particular detail before you execute and send it to All Star Gas.
If you have any questions, please contact Harvey Bransky at 303 567-1714 or cookiegladharv@earthlink.net.
Water Usage
This summer has been a little better than last summer, but we are still encouraging everyone to be good neighbors and be careful with your water consumption. Most wells on the hill are restricted to indoor use only. If your well was drilled before May 1972, then it may be grandfathered as a domestic well and allow watering of up to one acre of lawn or garden. Wells drilled after May 1972 are restricted by Colorado Water Law to in house use only. If you have any question about the classification of your well and the allowed use, please call the Colorado State Board of Water Resources at 303-866-3581.
Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department Recruitment
Last year the Evergreen Fire Protection District passed a bond issue that will fund a sub station in the Floyd Hill area. The usefulness of a sub station that is closer to our area than Bergen Park will be much greater if we have more volunteers living in the area. If you are interested in becoming an EVFD volunteer, please call the EFPD at 303-674-3145.
Driveway Culverts
A key part of road health is maintaining culverts and ditches for proper drainage. Clogged culverts can lead to erosion on both dirt and paved roads. In fact, we have noticed on some of our paved roads some undermined edges that we fear could someday cave in under a car’s weight, leading to tragedy. What you may not know is that responsibility for maintenance of driveway culverts falls to individual property owners. Since your driveway has a culvert running under it, it is your responsibility to maintain proper drainage through the culvert.
Now, we all know how these maintenance chores can sneak up on you, despite best intentions, so we have a list of solutions to match your situation. Pick one:
What do you mean the county won’t clean my culvert? It’s part of the road! The county is not beholden to maintain any driveway culvert, even if you didn’t install it yourself. Additionally, you should not even consider paving your driveway until your culvert is cleared. It would be a shame to have to dig up a freshly paved driveway to replace a damaged or severely blocked culvert, which the county could do in certain situations (see below).
I don’t have the time. Fortunately, culvert maintenance is relatively quick and easy, but if you’re just too busy, you can always hire someone to do it for you (a nephew, a teenager saving for college—think cheap labor!).
I can’t afford to hire help/I have health problems. We are currently seeking a volunteer corps to help seniors on fixed incomes or people who cannot do the labor due to poor health. If you need help, please contact Sandra Sajbel at 303-567-1111 and we will try to arrange help for you.
Bah humbug! I just don’t care. While we all admire the rugged individualist, the fact is that when you live on a slope, your actions affect everyone downhill from you. Many innocent properties and public roads are being seriously eroded by a neighbor’s neglect. Furthermore, if the county identifies an emergency situation—such as flooding to a neighbor’s property or massive damage to a road—the county may need to rip a drainage trough across the bottom of your driveway, leaving you with the cost of repairing it. So please do the community-minded thing and pick up that shovel!
To clear out your culvert, use a shovel or hoe to clear debris from both the ingress and egress ends and as far into the culvert as you can reach. Move all debris away from the culvert and drainage ditch so it won’t fill back in again. You should clear your culverts at least every spring and every fall, and more often in unusually wet seasons.
Remember, the next snow will be here before you know it, and if even a minor culvert problem is not resolved before winter, it could become quite nasty with the spring rains. If you have any questions, you can contact FHAPOA President Harry Dale at 303-670-0085 or email at hjd173@aol.com. Thank you so much for your cooperation!
Saddleback Mountain Homeowners Association Consideration of Road Improvement District
The Saddleback Mountain Association Road Committee is in the process of assessing interest among their membership for the formation of a Special District in the area to pave some of the roads. The formation of a Local Improvement District is a funding and construction mechanism through the use of special assessment bonds that are paid off by an additional property tax mill levy for members of the district. Establishment of Local Improvement Districts is provided to county governments under the Colorado Revised Statutes.
In the Saddleback proposal a Local Improvement District would be formed to fund the capital cost of a large scale road improvement project such as paving a number of roads in the area. This is a lengthy process and must eventually be approved by a majority vote in a November General Election. The process would begin with a petition to the county from property owners that would benefit from the improvements. The Saddleback folks would need to set the scope of the project and collect signatures from at least 25 percent of the property owners who would stand to benefit from the improvements. There must be at least 25 percent of the benefiting property owner’s signatures on the petition for it to be considered by the Board of County Commissioners in order to proceed with a cost estimate and budget. Once the budget is established, it will be sent to each property owner along with a questionnaire asking if the property owner is in favor of the formation of the LID. The County needs to have at least 51percent favorable response in order to proceed with a November ballot question.
Obviously property owner interest is critical to undertaking this process. I hope to discuss this item at our September meeting in order to gage interest in such a project and provide some feedback to the Saddleback road Committee folks.
Bears
I have received messages from a number of residents in the area about bear incidents this summer. I would advise everyone to take proper precautions in regard to putting out your trash. It’s best to wait until the morning of your trash pick up to take out your garbage. Bird feeders may also need to be taken in at night. I have also received a recommendation to tie an old sock or other rag, (soaked in ammonia), on your garbage storage shed or on your trash cans to keep bears away.
Daytime Emergency Notification Committee
I know that efforts are underway to put together our Emergency Notification phone tree. I’m sure an update will be forthcoming and certainly available by our 9/17 meeting.
County Master Plan
The Master Plan is at the draft level and will be completed in September. The following is a proposed schedule of Master Plan Steering Committee meetings in the next month. All meetings will be held at the Idaho Springs Visitors Center at 6:30pm. At this point I believe the agendas for the meetings are a moving target, but I imagine we will be reviewing drafts of both the Gaming Area plan and Clear Creek County plan.
Thursday, 8/14
Thursday, 9/11
Clear Creek County Greenway Initiative
One of the outcomes in the Master Planning effort has been the proposal of a county wide Greenway that would serve as the backbone of the county and tie together communities with a string of open spaces, parks, public recreational facilities, commercial recreation facilities and supporting businesses. The county is in the process of applying for a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado that will allow for the creation of a detailed Greenway plan to guide the Greenway’s success. The plan will include land analysis, conceptual trail alignment, facility development and an overall action strategy. Strong community support will be required in order to make the Greenway concept a reality. We have been asked to write a letter of support to GOCO for this Greenway planning grant and provide a financial matching contribution. We will consider this during our September meeting.
Outgoing Mail Theft
I have been informed by several residents that they have lost outgoing mail, presumably stolen from their mailboxes. While the Sheriff’s Department and Post Office have been notified, I would recommend that you take any important mail to the Post Office, especially if it contains a check.
CDOT I-70 Mountain Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
The following is the latest version of the alternatives. The Clear Creek County I-70 Task Force is working with the Western Counties to put together a “Locally Preferred Alternative” which will be presented to CDOT later this year. Suggestions for a locally preferred alternative can be found at the end of the alternative descriptions.
The next Mountain Corridor Advisory Team meeting will be on Thursday, September 4 from 8:30am to 4pm. The meeting will be at the USDA Forest Service Building located at 740 Simms, Lakewood, CO. The Forest Service office is just north of 6th Avenue off of the Simms exit, on the east side of Simms Street. Please note that all attendees must bring ID in order to receive a visitor badge.
No Action Alternative
This alternative would not provide any capacity improvements or any mass transit options for the I-70 corridor. The capacity of I-70 through Clear Creek County would remain at two eastbound and two westbound lanes. A number of safety improvements on I-70 along with independent projects not relating to the entire I-70 mountain corridor would still be constructed.
Minimal Action Alternative
Estimated Cost, $1.3 Billion
This alternative contains a number of stand alone highway improvement and traffic management items that could be grouped together as a complete alternative or could be added to other alternatives to address specific highway issues. Some items are specific road improvements such as interchange modifications and climbing lanes. Other items are transportation management tools such as ramp metering, incentives to reduce peak travel demand and Park-n-Ride lots. Key minimal action items for Clear Creek county are listed below.
Interchange Improvements
Loveland, (No. 216)
Silver Plume (move west ramps to MP 224), (No. 226)
Georgetown and Argentine St., (No. 228)
Empire Junction, (No. 232)
Downieville, (No. 234)
Fall River Road (connect St. Mary’s to Frontage Road), (No. 238)
Idaho Springs, (No. 241, 240, 239)
US 6, (No. 244)
Hyland Hills and Beaver Brook (modify existing ramps and traffic control), (No. 247, 248)
Auxiliary Lanes
MP 215.3 to 221.3, Eastbound & Westbound, Eisenhower Tunnel to Bakerville
MP 225.7 to 227.9, Eastbound & Westbound, Silver Plume to Georgetown
MP 232.2 to 234.2, Eastbound & Westbound, Empire Junction to Dumont
MP 253.3 to 258.3, Westbound Only, Genesee to Hogback
Curve Safety Modifications
MP 237, Fall River Road
MP 241.5 to 245, East of Twin tunnels
Rail Transit with IMC, MP 176 to 260 and MP 142 to 176
Estimated Cost, $4.4 Billion
Average Speed with 10 stops – 52.3 mph
This alternative would involve a traditional electric rail alignment on ground level. In areas where space is not available or a crossing of I-70 is required, the track would be placed on an elevated guideway above the highway grade. In Idaho Springs the double track rail alignment would be below the completely structured and elevated eastbound traffic lanes of I-70. The double track alignment, (one track eastbound and one track westbound), would extend from Mile Post 260, (which is the proposed Jefferson County Station at the intersection of C470 and I-70), to Frisco, (MP 203). From Frisco, (MP 203), to Vail, (MP 176), there would be a single track alignment, (only one direction at a time), with passing sidings. Ten proposed stops include the Vail Transit Center, Cooper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, Loveland Ski Area, Georgetown, Empire Junction, Idaho Springs, the US 40/US 6 Interchange, (Kermitt’s), and El Rancho.
The Intermountain Connection, (IMC) is a single track rail alignment, (only one direction at a time), that would connect the Eagle County Regional Airport, (MP 142), to Vail, (MP 176), using Union Pacific Tennessee Pass line and a new line 6 miles from Dowd Junction to the Vail Transportation Center. The IMC is envisioned to transport commuters and day users from the Eagle River Valley and the Eagle County Airport to the Vail Transportation Center.
A new Twin tunnel bore will be required on the south side of the current I-70 bores with an elevated entrance and exit. This new south bore will accommodate the Rail Transit double track alignment. A new Eisenhower tunnel bore will be required on the north side of the current bores with an entrance just across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. This new north bore will accommodate the Rail Transit double track alignment.
Advanced Guideway System, (AGS), MP 142 to 260
Estimated Cost, $5.6 Billion
Average Speed with 10 stops – 61.5 mph
This alternative would involve an elevated double track monorail alignment, (one track eastbound and one track westbound), for the complete length from Mile Post 260, (which is the proposed Jefferson County Station at the intersection of C470 and I-70), to the Eagle County Airport, (MP 142). The current AGS monorail would be electric powered and use new maglev technology for increased speeds on mountain grades. There is now a debate over the practical use of pure magnetic levitation technology due to the immense electrical power required to magnetically levitate the vehicle and the potential difficulty with snow and ice on the track. An alternative guideway vehicle that uses steel roller bearings on a steel track and is propelled by linear induction motors may be a higher speed and more practical and cost effective alternative for the mountain corridor.
The monorail double track would be elevated along the side of the I-70 roadway and actually overlap the roadway in the narrow sections of the corridor. The AGS double track alignment would descend from elevation for the new bores at both the Twin tunnels and at the Eisenhower tunnel. A new Twin tunnel bore will be required on the south side of the current I-70 bores with an elevated entrance and exit. This new south bore will accommodate the AGS double track alignment. A new Eisenhower tunnel bore will be required on the north side of the current bores with an entrance just across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. This new north bore will accommodate the AGS double track alignment. Eleven proposed stops include the Eagle County Airport, Vail Transit Center, Cooper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, Loveland Ski Area, Georgetown, Empire Junction, Idaho Springs, the US 40/US 6 Interchange, (Kermitt’s), and El Rancho.
Dual Mode Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260
Estimated Cost, $2.9 Billion
Average Speed with 10 stops – 54.9 mph
The dual mode bus alternative involves a bus that is powered by an electric motor, but also has a diesel generator to power the electric motor for operation outside the guideway. External electric power is available inside the guideway and is supplied by a third rail. The dual mode bus uses external electric power to achieve greater uphill speeds on steep grades than typical diesel buses. Electric motors also last longer and require less maintenance than diesel motors. The dual mode bus can originate and terminate trips either inside or outside the guideway. The guideway resembles a rail line and buses are equipped with built-in steering control. Buses can be retrofitted with guide wheels at a minimum cost. Single guide wheels are located on the front corners on each side of the bus that ride against the side barrier of the guideway. The guide wheels can be immobilized once the bus is outside the guideway. Without shoulders, the guideway has a very narrow footprint, (24 feet), and reduced driver error due to the steering being controlled by the guideway.
The guideway would be located in the center of the I-70 roadway in areas where roadway widths are appropriate. In narrower areas such as Idaho Springs, the guideway would be below the completely structured and elevated eastbound traffic lanes of I-70. The guideway is a double track alignment for most of the corridor, (one track eastbound and one track westbound). In the eastbound direction the guideway extends from Silverthorne through the Eisenhower Tunnel to C470. In the westbound direction the guideway extends from C470 through the Eisenhower Tunnel, but not all the way to Silverthorne. Westbound buses exiting the Eisenhower Tunnel would return to diesel power in mixed traffic for the downhill trip to Silverthorne. Ten proposed stops include the Vail Transit Center, Cooper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, Loveland Ski Area, Georgetown, Empire Junction, Idaho Springs, the US 40/US 6 Interchange, (Kermitt’s), and El Rancho.
New bores would be required in both the Twin and Eisenhower tunnels. The new Twin tunnel bore would be on the south side of the current I-70 bores with an elevated entrance and exit. The new south bore would accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore would accommodate the double track, (east/west), bus guideway alignment. The existing north bore would accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. The new Eisenhower tunnel bore would be on the north side of the current bores with an entrance just across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. The new north bore would accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. The existing north bore would accommodate the double track, (east/west), bus guideway alignment. The existing south bore would accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic.
Diesel Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260
Estimated Cost, $2.7 Billion
Average Speed with 10 stops – 49.2 mph
This alternative would involve the same guideway as described in the dual mode bus alternative, but would not accommodate external electric power via a third rail. Conventional diesel buses retrofitted with guide wheels could use the guideway. Hybrid diesel/electric buses that use a diesel motor to charge batteries are also being considered for use in this guideway. Buses can originate and terminate trips either inside or outside the guideway. The guideway resembles a rail line and buses are equipped with built-in steering control. Buses can be retrofitted with guide wheels at a minimum cost. Single guide wheels are located on the front corners on each side of the bus that ride against the side barrier of the guideway. The guide wheels can be immobilized once the bus is outside the guideway. Without shoulders, the guideway has a very narrow footprint, (24 feet), and reduced driver error due to the steering being controlled by the guideway.
The guideway would be located in the center of the I-70 roadway in areas where roadway widths are appropriate. In narrower areas such as Idaho Springs, the guideway would be below the completely structured and elevated eastbound traffic lanes of I-70. The guideway is a double track alignment for most of the corridor, (one track eastbound and one track westbound). In the eastbound direction the guideway extends from Silverthorne through the Eisenhower Tunnel to C470. In the westbound direction the guideway extends from C470 through the Eisenhower Tunnel, but not all the way to Silverthorne. Westbound buses exiting the Eisenhower Tunnel would return to mixed traffic for the downhill trip to Silverthorne. Ten proposed stops include the Vail Transit Center, Cooper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, Loveland Ski Area, Georgetown, Empire Junction, Idaho Springs, the US 40/US 6 Interchange, (Kermitt’s), and El Rancho.
New bores would be required in both the Twin and Eisenhower tunnels. The new Twin tunnel bore would be on the south side of the current I-70 bores with an elevated entrance and exit. The new south bore would accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore would accommodate the double track, (east/west), bus guideway alignment. The existing north bore would accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. The new Eisenhower tunnel bore would be on the north side of the current bores with an entrance just across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. The new north bore would accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. The existing north bore would accommodate the double track, (east/west), bus guideway alignment. The existing south bore would accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic.
Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $1.7 Billion
This alternative includes widening to three eastbound and three westbound lanes from the Clear Creek/Jefferson County border through the Eisenhower tunnel. The three lane widening options will vary throughout Clear Creek County based on the size of the current CDOT right of way and the geography of the area, however in most locations the highway will be terraced to account for slopes and topographic differences, and use an 8 to 10 foot variable shoulder. In the Idaho Springs area the eastbound lanes will be elevated as structured lanes between mile post 238.9 and 241.4 to afford a narrower footprint width. The structured lanes actually create a partial overlap of the shoulders between the eastbound and westbound lanes. Curve Smoothing at Fall River Road, (MP 237) and east of the Twin Tunnels, (MP 241.5-245), will also be incorporated.
For the six lane option, a new third bore for the Eisenhower Tunnel will be required on the north side of the current bores to accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. This new bore would begin directly across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. The existing north bore will be used for one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing south bore will be used for two lanes of eastbound traffic.
For the six lane option, a new third bore for the Twin tunnels will be required on the south side of the current bores with an elevated entrance and exit will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate one lane of westbound traffic.
The 4 mile section of I-70 through Dowd Canyon would be rebuilt to a six lane divided freeway, with three lanes in each direction separated by a two foot wide concrete median barrier. Four curves would be realigned for design speeds of 60 mph which would require the rebuilding of three bridges in this area. A new bridge over Gore Creek would be constructed to replace the current box culvert and portions of US 6 would be realigned to follow the new I-70 alignment.
Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 65 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon Tunnel, 65 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $2.0 Billion
This alternative includes widening to three eastbound and three westbound lanes from the Clear Creek/Jefferson County border through the Eisenhower tunnel. The three lane widening options will vary throughout Clear Creek County based on the size of the current CDOT right of way and the geography of the area, however in most locations the highway will be terraced to account for slopes and topographic differences and use an 8 to 10 foot variable shoulder. In the Idaho Springs area the eastbound lanes will be elevated as structured lanes between mile post 238.9 and 241.4 to afford a narrower footprint width. The structured lanes actually create a partial overlap of the shoulders between the eastbound and westbound lanes. Curve Smoothing at Fall River Road, (MP 237) and east of the Twin Tunnels, (MP 241.5-245), will also be incorporated.
For the six lane option, a new third bore for the Eisenhower Tunnel will be required on the north side of the current bores to accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic. This new bore would begin directly across I-70 from the Loveland Ski Area Lodge. The existing north bore will be used for one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing south bore will be used for two lanes of eastbound traffic.
For the six lane option, a new third bore for the Twin tunnels will be required on the south side of the current bores with an elevated entrance and exit will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate one lane of westbound traffic.
Just east of the Twin Tunnels all six lanes of I-70 would be realigned through two new tunnels on the north side of the current I-70. These tunnels would straighten the route from the Twin Tunnels to the Hidden Valley Interchange in order to achieve the 65 mph design speed. Three lanes of westbound traffic would be accommodated by the northern tunnel and three lanes of eastbound traffic would be accommodated by the southern tunnel. The new tunnel length would be approximately 1400 feet and has been named the “Hidden Valley tunnel”.
In order to maintain a 65mph design speed for six lanes from the Hidden Valley Interchange to the US6 junction, the current footprint for both the east and westbound lanes would be used for only the three westbound lanes. This would provide enough room to straighten the roadway to maintain a 65mph design speed in one direction. The eastbound lanes would enter a tunnel just east of the Hidden Valley Interchange and continue underground until about midway up Floyd Hill. The tunnel length would be approximately one half mile. The tunnel is a straight line between Hidden Valley and Floyd Hill, which would easily be capable of a 65mph design speed with proper width and effective lighting. This option is being named the “Floyd Hill tunnel” option.
The 4 mile section of I-70 through Dowd Canyon would be bypassed and shortened with two new tunnels on the north side of current I-70. These tunnels would be approximately 2.5 miles long and straighten the route through Dowd Canyon to achieve a 65 mph design speed. Three lanes of eastbound traffic would be contained in one tunnel and three lanes of westbound traffic would be contained in the other tunnel.
Reversible Lanes, Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
(four lanes in the peak direction/two lanes in the off peak direction)
Six Lane Widening, (Not Reversible), Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $1.9 Billion
This alternative is a six Lane option with two reversible direction lanes. This option would provide the construction of two new lanes from the Clear Creek/Jefferson County border through the Eisenhower tunnel and configure the two new lanes to accommodate either eastbound or westbound traffic depending on the peak traffic direction. This option would also require additional bores at both the Eisenhower and Twin Tunnels. The third bore at the Eisenhower tunnel would be a north side bore and the third bore at the Twin tunnels would likely be an elevated south side bore. The resulting center bores would be used for the reversible lanes in both tunnels. In Idaho Springs the two eastbound lanes are elevated completely on structure. The two reversible lanes would be directly below the structured eastbound lanes.
A HOV or HOT lane concept could be applied to the reversible lanes option. HOV lanes would be reserved for vehicles that carry a high occupancy, (probably four or more persons). HOT lanes would be reserved for drivers or transit vehicles that would be willing to pay a premium to use the HOT lanes.
The 4 mile section of I-70 through Dowd Canyon would be rebuilt to a six lane divided freeway, with three lanes in each direction separated by a two foot wide concrete median barrier. Four curves would be realigned for design speeds of 60 mph which would require the rebuilding of three bridges in this area. A new bridge over Gore Creek would be constructed to replace the current box culvert and portions of US 6 would be realigned to follow the new I-70 alignment.
Combination Rail Transit with IMC, MP 176 to 260 and MP 142 to 176
With Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $5.8 Billion
This alternative would combine the Rail Transit alternative from C470 to Vail with the Intermountain Connection to provide rail transit from C470 to Eagle Junction, (MP 142 to 260). Six lane highway widening in both Dowd Junction, (MP 169 to 173), and the complete length Clear Creek County, (MP 213.5 to 247), would be included in this combination alternative.
For the Eisenhower Tunnel a new and oversized bore on the north side of the current bores would provide a split platform to accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic on the upper level and the double track rail alignment on the lower level of the new bore. The existing north side bore would accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing south bore will accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic.
For the Twin Tunnels a new bore on the south side of the current bores will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate the double track rail alignment. The existing north bore will be modified to accommodate three lanes of westbound traffic.
In Idaho Springs the three eastbound lanes are elevated completely on structure. The double track rail alignment would be directly below the structured eastbound lanes.
Combination Advanced Guideway System, (AGS), MP 142 to 260
With Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $8.0 Billion
This alternative would combine the Advanced Guideway System from C470 to Eagle County Airport with six lane highway widening in both Dowd Junction, (MP 169 to 173), and the complete length Clear Creek County, (MP 213.5 to 247).
For the Eisenhower Tunnel a new and oversized bore on the north side of the current bores would provide a split platform to accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic on the upper level and the AGS double track rail alignment on the lower level of the new bore. The existing north side bore would accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing south bore will accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic.
For the Twin Tunnels a new bore on the south side of the current bores will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate the AGS double track alignment. The existing north bore will be modified to accommodate three lanes of westbound traffic.
In Idaho Springs the three eastbound lanes are elevated completely on structure. The AGS double track alignment would be directly below the structured eastbound lanes.
Combination Dual Mode Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260
With Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $3.7 Billion
This alternative would combine the dual mode bus in guideway from C470 to Silverthorne, (MP 260 to 205), with six lane highway widening in both Dowd Junction, (MP 169 to 173), and the complete length Clear Creek County, (MP 213.5 to 247).
For the Eisenhower Tunnel a new and oversized bore on the north side of the current bores would provide a split platform to accommodate two lanes of westbound traffic on the upper level and the bus guideway double track alignment on the lower level of the new bore. The existing north side bore would accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing south bore will accommodate two lanes of eastbound traffic.
For the Twin tunnels a new bore on the south side of the current bores will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate the bus guideway double track alignment. The existing north bore will be modified to accommodate three lanes of westbound traffic.
In Idaho Springs the three eastbound lanes are elevated completely on structure. The bus guideway double track alignment would be directly below the structured eastbound lanes.
Combination Diesel Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260
With Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)
Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill, 55 mph Design Speed, MP 213.5 to 247
Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173
Estimated Cost, $3.5 Billion
This alternative would combine the diesel bus in guideway from C470 to Silverthorne, (MP 260 to 205), with six lane highway widening in both Dowd Junction, (MP 169 to 173), and the complete length Clear Creek County, (MP 213.5 to 247).