March 2004

Association News from Harry

Plowing, Shoveling and Snow Blowing

I have been asked to remind residents that when you clear your driveway, you should try to keep the snow out of the roads. Depending on the area and weather, additional snow in the road can cause icy or muddy spots.

Quarterly Meetings

At our next meeting I would like to discuss moving towards quarterly meetings. Our meeting attendance has been fairly light and knowing how busy most people are, it might be a better idea to move to quarterly, instead of monthly meetings.

School Resource Officer

Deputy Beau Campbell is Clear Creek County’s School Resource Officer. Since both the King-Murphy Elementary School and the high school are located in unincorporated Clear Creek County, law enforcement for these schools fall under the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office. I had asked Beau to attend our February meeting to address some area resident’s concerns about the high school. Beau told us that the Sheriff’s Office has been proactive in addressing crime in the schools by placing the School Resource Officer in the schools. As a result, the problem students are identified and corrective action taken promptly. Beau also reports that the school campus is a closed campus and that students are not allowed to leave the campus for lunch, with the exception of second semester seniors with permission from their parents. At this time there are only three students that have off campus permission. Beau also reports that the campus is a drug and tobacco free facility and a 500 foot area surrounding the school property is enforced. If any area residents have questions or concerns for Deputy Campbell, you can reach him at 303-679-4605.

Evergreen Fire Protection District Open Burning Permit Requirements

A recent incident in the Floyd Hill area has prompted me to list the requirements for an Open Burning Permit. Due to this recent incident, the Evergreen Fire Protection District is considering banning all open fires in the Floyd Hill area, (which due to our recent drought might not be a bad idea anyway).

In the Floyd Hill area the Evergreen Fire Protection District currently allows open burning of slash. For 2004 Open Burning is allowed only from January 1 to March 31 and November 1 to December 31 under the following conditions:

- There is not a Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office Fire Ban in effect

- At least two inches of snow must cover the ground

- Winds must be less than 15 mph

- If winds pick up after you start burning, you are required to extinguish your fire

- Burning shall be restricted to slash material

- Maximum slash pile size will be 8 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high

- All burning shall be supervised by one or more responsible persons

- At no time shall the burning be left unattended

- Burning must occur from 6 am to 6 pm

- Fires must be completely out without any significant residual smoke by 6 pm

- All precautions shall be taken to localize burning and prevent a fire hazard to persons or property within or adjacent to the burn area

- Smoke shall be kept to a minimum

- All ash or remains of burning shall be checked after the burning has been completed and any hot embers must be extinguished

- You must contact EFPD at 303-674-3411 both before and after your burn

Open Burning Permit applicants assume liability for all damages incurred to any other person or property caused by or related to the activities for which the permit was issued.

Open Burning Permit applicants assume all cost of fire suppression should any open fire escape the applicant’s control. These costs may include any legal fees incurred by the EFPD and/or the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department in any civil or criminal action, whether in a court of law or otherwise, which arises from the activities for which the Open Burning Permit was issued.

EFPD Floyd Hill Sub Station

The new Floyd Hill fire station is being built on JeffCo 65 between Pleasant Lane and Elmgreen Lane. This new station will house an Urban Interface Engine which is an off road capable high ground clearance four wheel drive fire engine that should be able to negotiate all of the roads in our area. We believe that the building will be completed and furnished with the new engine by July 2004.

Area Auto Break-ins

There were 6 incidents of criminal trespass, (in vehicles), and two stolen vehicles in the Floyd Hill area between 12/29/03 and 1/15/04. We now understand that the auto break-ins in the late December and early January timeframe were allegedly committed by a group from the Denver area. Warrants have been issued for two of the suspects. The break-ins were not technically break-ins since each vehicle entered was unlocked. The suspects were looking for checkbooks, credit cards, account numbers, address information, business information, etc. and generally took the contents of the glove compartment. They were attempting to print and cash counterfeit checks with information stolen from the victim’s vehicles. None of the vehicles were vandalized, but in two instances, the vehicles were driven for short periods, but the keys had been left in the vehicles by the owners.

Again, the lesson learned is that all residents should lock their vehicles and remove their keys. We are just as susceptible to theft as in the metro area. If possible park vehicles in a garage. If you must park your vehicle outside, take all valuables inside.

Please also be sure to shred any garbage with business or personal bank or credit card information. We have also received reports that area resident’s account information has been obtained and unauthorized account transactions attempted. The Sheriff’s Office staff has advised us that identity theft is an increasing problem in the area and is typically used by criminals to obtain cash for drug purchases.

Evacuation Planning

Rick Gaubatz is the Sheriff's Office Wildfire Coordinator and spoke at our February meeting. Rick is tasked with working with Homeowners Associations such as ours to begin planning for a large scale event that would require the evacuation of the area. Rick emphasized the importance of communication and encouraged participation in our emergency notification network. The Sheriff’s office will use their EPN call out system in the event of an evacuation notice, but it may not reach you if you are not home, are on the phone, have a phone machine with an extended greeting, etc. Our emergency notification network should help get the message out. Also depending on the circumstance, the notice could be a preparation for evacuation or an immediate call for evacuation. A lightning strike type of fire could require immediate action, where an established wildfire some distance away might allow additional time.

Rick encouraged 100 percent participation in the notification network in an effort to leave no one behind during an evacuation. We also discussed the possibility of a siren placed at the high school. The siren sounding could be an indicator for evacuation, but a formal procedure would need to be established by the Sheriff’s Office and notification given to all area residents.

Rick also indicated the need for collection locations following an evacuation where area residents could regroup and check in. For example, the Idaho Springs Middle School might be a good location for a fire approaching from the east. A master list of area residents would need to be established and an emergency official would check people off against the list. This would help emergency officials determine if anyone was left behind. We might also need to establish a phone number where residents could call to report that they had evacuated.

We will likely have Rick back in a few months to determine collection points, check in phone numbers and the possibility of a siren at the high school. Rick would like all of us to be thinking about a list of items that we would take with us in the event of an immediate evacuation including important papers, insurance records, pets, prescriptions, photographs, etc.

Wildland Fire Danger

A bit of preparation goes a long way. Last year we invited Janet Arrowood to speak at one of our meetings. Her book, Living With Wildfires--Prevention, Preparation, and Recovery, (Bradford Publishing), has valuable checklists of what to take in the event of an evacuation and self- and property-protection information. It is available at Bradford Publishing, (1763 Wazee St. in Denver), or through www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. It is information that could save someone's life. Here are a couple of links for more information:

Book review by Firewise (http://www.firewise.org) http://www.firewise.org/pubs/wnn/vol17/no3/wnn-sept2003.pdf

A site where you can preview the book: http://wildfires.bradfordpublishing.com

Colorado State Forest Service: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CSFS/

US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/rmacc.html
Smokey Bear: http://www.smokeybear.com
FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/reg-viii
Bureau of Land Management: http://www.blm.gov

Daytime Emergency Notification Committee

Our Notification Network is on line. The notification network will attempt to relay pre-evacuation or evacuation notices from the Sheriff’s Office to participating residents via a daytime phone number that the participating resident provided to Association volunteers. The County’s Emergency Preparedness network will provide a call to your home phone number and will be your primary source for emergency information. The Association is not acting as an emergency response agency, however the association would like to facilitate official emergency communication by attempting to pass along notice from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office to area residents’ daytime phone numbers. If you are not a participant in this program and would like to become a participant or if you would like to update your phone number, please call Karen Dobel at 303-679-6312 or email at Secretary@floydhill.org.

Emergency Egress Meeting with Beaver Brook Canyon

Back in November we held a meeting with the Beaver Brook Canyon Homeowners to discuss emergency access for the canyon. We agreed on the following items.

1. Future emergency egress should be explored at the end of Beaver Brook Canyon Road that would allow Beaver Brook Canyon residents to exit to the new Saddleback Mountain Development in the event of an emergency that resulted in the blockage of lower Beaver Brook Canyon Road. Also the same emergency only egress could be used to allow the Saddleback Mountain Development residents to exit to Beaver Brook Canyon Road in the event of an emergency that blocked their normal exit. We agreed that we would look to pursue this egress only option when Pommel Lane was constructed as part of Phase 3 of the Saddleback Mountain Development.

2. The Beaver Brook Canyon residents supported a future access from the new Floyd Hill Fire Station on JeffCo 65, (between Pleasant Lane and Elmgreen Lane), to the high school property. The School District and the Evergreen Fire Protection District also support the creation of this access. This access route will depend largely on the future development of the Elmgreen property. It is expected that development of the Elmgreen property may facilitate such an access from JeffCo 65. It is difficult at this time to pursue any type of local taxpayer funding for such an access, (via some type of District funding), without fully understanding the future development plans.

3. We agreed that the county should explore improvements to the narrow section of Beaver Brook Canyon Road just past the turnaround.

Colorado State Forest Service Wildland-Urban Interface Grant

For 2004 Clear Creek County has again applied for a Wildland-Urban Interface Grant to provide free slash disposal at the at the transfer station south of Idaho Springs on Soda Creek Road. I will pass along notification when this program becomes available.

Thanks to Tim Martinez, the Association has also applied for a Wildland-Urban Interface Grant for 2004 that would allow us to fund a fuels reduction program for the Floyd Hill area. The program would consist of providing appropriate defensible space and fuels reduction information to area homeowners, inviting appropriate speakers to address our membership during meetings and encouraging homeowners to thin the fuels on their properties. The association would also rent a chipper and provide several dates to visit area homeowners to chip their collected slash. Volunteer and homeowner man hours provided on thinning and chipping efforts will be used as our matching contribution for the grant. We should hear about the grant approval or denial some time in early 2004. Again I will pass along notification when this program becomes available.

Welcome Committee

Three Welcome Baskets have been delivered to new area residents so far this year on behalf of the Association.

Road Improvement District

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. The County could also elect to contribute a portion of the total improvement costs for a specific improvement project through the use of previously collected traffic impact funds.

In my last newsletter I had invited input from area residents on Local Improvement Districts for improvements to any area road. I have only received positive feedback for the unpaved portion of Ponderosa Drive. I have received enough signatures for the unpaved portion of Ponderosa drive to have the county work up a cost estimate. I will convey the cost estimate to the appropriate residents as soon as I receive it.

There was also some interest in paving Pine Ridge Road; however I have not received enough petition signatures to have the county work up a cost estimate.

SpeedTrail High Speed DSL

I have invited SpeedTrail to attend our 3/24 meeting and provide a presentation at the conclusion of our meeting. They have installed DSL equipment in the area and are offering a 512Kb upload and 512Kb download service for $39.95 per month. DSL makes use of your existing phone line with the addition of a special filter/splitter and DSL modem. If you are interested in this service, please attend our 3/24 meeting for more details.

Ride Stop

Pete Helseth raised the idea of reconstructing the Ride Stop shelter, (similar to the picture above), in the parking lot at the base of Floyd Hill. The intention would be to provide a place for kids to get out of the weather when their parents are a few minutes late meeting their bus. Pete has also volunteered concrete blocks for the construction of the Ride Stop that were leftover from one of his jobs. They aren't red bricks as shown in the picture, but they are fluted and slightly tinted and should work. He thinks he can lead a crew of area volunteers to get the work done which will keep labor costs to a minimum.

Pete has asked if the Floyd Hill Homeowners Association, (and we might consider asking the Saddleback Mountain and Beaver Brook Canyon Homeowners Associations), would be interested

in taking on this shelter project as a community effort. Pete would ask the Association to purchase the mortar, lumber, paint, and shingles. Lights may be another possibility since there's a power pole right next to the pad for the shelter.

We discussed this item at our December meeting. I have not received enough support from the area homeowners to pursue the reconstruction of the Ride Stop. The county would not support the reconstruction without a firm commitment from the community for regular maintenance. It is reported that the previous shelter was a constant maintenance problem. Contractors working in the area used it as a dumpster and people pulled of the highway and used it as a bathroom. It was suggested at our December meeting that we contact the high school to see if students would be interested in the construction and maintenance of the Ride Stop as a “Community Outreach” program. If anyone is interested in pursuing this item with the high school or School District, please let me know.

Beaver Brook Watershed

I have received an update from Commissioner Bob Poirot who recently went to Washington D.C. to lobby our Congressional delegation to fund the US Forest Service purchase of the Beaver Brook Watershed. There appears to be a balance of around $7.6 million to complete the purchase with only a firm commitment in the President’s proposed 2005 budget for $600,000. The terms of the USFS purchase from Golden expire in 2005, so at the moment, the Forest Service is considerably short of the full $21,130,000 purchase price. Bob did indicate from discussions with Congressional staff that a one year extension of the contract with Golden might be negotiable and an effort could be made to split the remaining $7.6 million over the 2005 and 2006 budgets. My understanding is that this could be possible with Senator Campbell’s support, but that he is not yet fully on board.

CDOT Access to Gaming Area Environmental Impact Study - (improved access to Blackhawk and Central City)

The Southern Access Road is in full construction from the I-70 Hidden Valley interchange, (Exit 243), to Central City. Construction is scheduled to complete and the road scheduled to open in November 2004. As a result, the tentative preferred alternative for the Access to Gaming Area EIS is the Silver Dollar Metro District Tunnel combined with four lane widening of State Route 119, (see below). The Draft EIS document is scheduled for public release in April 2004.

SDMD Alternative, (publicly funded preliminary costs, $101 million / privately funded preliminary costs, $156 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.

The SDMD tunnel alternative was chosen over the other “build” alternative due largely to a reduction in publicly funded costs of $132 million (preliminary costs). The alternative consists of 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.

CDOT I-70 Mountain Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

The following I-70 alternatives have been selected into the preferred alternative grouping for the Draft PEIS document. The alternatives in the preferred grouping will be carried over for additional study in the Final PEIS and one of them will likely be selected as the preferred alternative. Alternatives with a predicted cost above $4 billion were not considered reasonable and were excluded from the preferred grouping. The release of the I-70 Mountain Corridor Draft PEIS is scheduled for sometime this year.

Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260

The 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, Copper 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.

Dual Mode Bus

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.

Diesel Bus

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.

Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)

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 that will accommodate three lanes of eastbound traffic. The existing south bore will accommodate one lane of westbound traffic.

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 of $1.7 Billion

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.

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

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. This option might also leave enough room in the narrow canyon area between Kermitt’s and the Hidden Valley Interchange to accommodate both a frontage road and a bike path, (which appears to be much more difficult with the 55mph version of six lane widening).

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. With the reversible lane option, a total of four lanes would be available in the peak direction. This option has the largest width, (112 ft), of any of the highway options and would require the most interchange work. 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 High Occupancy Toll lane would likely be applied to the reversible lanes option. High Occupancy Vehicle lanes may also be used and reserved for vehicles that carry probably four or more persons in this corridor. HOT lanes would be reserved for drivers or transit vehicles that would be willing to pay a premium toll to use the HOT lanes.

Preservation for Rail Transit / AGS / Bus in Guideway

With Six Lane Widening, (three eastbound and three westbound lanes)

Eisenhower Tunnel to Floyd Hill ,55 mph Design Speed, 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 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 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.

Preservation for Rail Transit with IMC, MP 176 to 260 and MP 142 to 176

Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173

Estimated Cost, $5.8 Billion

This alternative would combine right of way preservation for the Rail Transit / Intermountain Connection alternative from C470 to Vail to provide preservation for 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.

Preservation for Advanced Guideway System (AGS), MP 142 to 260

Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173

Estimated Cost, $8.0 Billion

This alternative would combine right of way preservation for 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).

Preservation for Dual Mode Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260

Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173

Estimated Cost, $3.7 Billion

This alternative would combine right of way preservation for 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).

Preservation for Diesel Bus in Guideway, MP 205 to 260

Dowd Canyon, 60 mph Design Speed, MP 169 to 173

Estimated Cost, $3.5 Billion

This alternative would combine right of way preservation for 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).

PEIS Schedule

The Draft PEIS Is scheduled for public release some time in 2004. The Final PEIS document is scheduled for completion in 2005, with a Record of Decision likely in late 2005 or early 2006. As part of the NEPA process, it is likely that one or more Tier Two Environmental Impact Statements, including site specific design, will be required for most of the corridor following the Record of Decision. These will likely complete in the 2008 - 2009 timeframe. Funding and Contractor selection will follow, so it is not likely that construction for any selected alternative will begin until 2010.

Rockfall Mitigation

At our January meeting, CDOT representatives reported that every other year the full state rockfall mitigation budget of $1.5 million will now be allocated to the I-70 corridor. CDOT has also placed a request into the Federal Highway Administration for an additional $50 million for rockfall mitigation in the state.

Weigh in Motion

The Floyd Hill weigh in motion station became operational during February. This station will weigh and measure a truck’s speed at the top of Floyd Hill and will provide them with their recommended speed on the lighted sign.

Design Speeds

The area of I-70 from the US 6 Junction through the Twin Tunnels was actually designed with a 45mph design speed for passenger vehicles and 35mph for tractor trailers, (even though it is signed at 55mph. The 55mph six lane option would increase the design speed for passenger vehicles and tractor trailers by 10mph. The 65mph six lane option would increase the design speed by 20mph.

Full Diamond Interchange for Floyd Hill

During our January meeting CDOT representatives reported that a full diamond interchange for Exit 247 is not a component of any of the current I-70 PEIS alternatives. Even though the county has been requesting a full diamond interchange in this location for more than 20 years, CDOT representatives indicated that it is not typical CDOT policy to increase interchange capacity with CDOT only funding. Typically a developer that was building a project in the area that would create the demand for increased interchange capacity would provide at least partial funding for the interchange improvements. Since this is not the case for the Exit 247 interchange, CDOT does not envision interchange capacity improvements for Exit 247 any time soon.