I-25 PEL: CO Springs Denver South Connection Presentation to Castle Rock Town Council June 20, 2017
An Important Corridor to Colorado Links the state s two major metropolitan areas and communities between Is critical to the state s economic and business development Near-term relief is needed, supported by long-term vision
Planning and Environmental Linkages Study Planning and Environmental Linkages or PEL is a process that combines federal requirements for transportation planning and environmental clearances Will help CDOT Define and prioritize projects in the corridor Determine project costs, funding, financing, and delivery options Engage with local corridor communities, regional travelers, and other interested stakeholders Identify significant environmental constraints and support efficient transition through project delivery
Study Limits Limits of potential physical improvements: Northern terminus at C470/E470 Interchange Southern terminus at CR 105/Monument Operational study area extends farther south
PEL Study Segments: Monument to C470
Why are Improvements Needed? SAFETY A high number of crashes occur on the corridor. The mix of users and travel speeds, along with difficult passing conditions and limited recovery areas, present special challenges. Higher than expected crashes occur due to weather, wildlife conflicts, and darkness. RELIABILITY Travel times in the corridor are highly variable; unexpected and unreasonably long traffic delays are increasingly common, and delays are getting worse, particularly on weekends. MOBILITY Physical conditions in the corridor hamper mobility. With no reasonable alternate routes or other reliable travel options, drivers have little option but to be struck in traffic in congested conditions. Maneuvering in the corridor is challenging due to the mix of vehicles and varying operating speeds, lack of passing opportunities, steady uphill grades, and narrow shoulders and medians that do not provide adequate recovery space for disabled vehicles.
Traffic Characteristics Delays are increasing 2016 was worse than 2015 First months of 2017 show similar increase in volumes and delays above 2016 Urban and rural segments operate differently North is more typical of commuting patterns Highest volumes weekday AM and PM peaks South (Gap) has roughly equal split of NB and SB traffic no peak direction Daily volumes are very similar weekdays and weekends Summer volumes are notably higher Delays are most prevalent in the Gap and are more pronounced on weekends in the SB direction
Types of Alternative Elements Corridorwide Travel lanes and shoulders Transit bus operations, new bus, new rail Alternate routes and frontage roads Operational improvements Variable speed limits Truck operations and restrictions Incident management plans & event coordination Driver information, VMS, cell phone alerts Segment-by-Segment Elements For instance, wildlife crossings in Gap or queue warning in Denver South
Express Lanes A set of lanes where operational strategies are proactively implemented and managed in response to changing conditions. An Express Lane is a tolled lane and is a Managed Lane, but Managed Lanes are not limited to tolling. Express Lanes Offer additional travel choices Always provided in combination with general purpose lanes
Colorado s Operating and Planned Express Lanes Express Lanes recommended and being implemented for all major capacity projects over past few years US 36, I-25 North, I-70 Mountain Corridor, C-470, Central I-70
Express Lanes recommended because they provide two key benefits Reliable travel times and supplemental revenue 5 6
Transit Elements High Speed Rail Interregional Connectivity Study recommendations for rail along Front Range Bustang Expand/enhance existing service Provide transit priority (Express Lane or Bus on Shoulder; Bus Rapid Transit)
Interregional Connectivity Study ICS Front Range Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo Advance Guideway System (AGS) Mountain corridor to Eagle County Airport CDOT Division of Transit and Rail studied and recommended High Speed Rail along the I-25 corridor.
Interregional Connectivity Study Recommended Operating Segment: Colorado Springs to South Suburban Station 39 miles $3.6 billion construction estimate 7 million annual ridership $52 million annual operating expenses $84 million annual revenue
Project Development Schedule Gap project ready for construction by mid-2019 CDOT commitment to be shovel ready On schedule pending funding Planning and Environmental Linkages Study Complete May 2018 Vision and implementation plan for entire corridor Traffic Analysis and Roadway Design Conceptual engineering May 2018 Preliminary engineering (30% plans) end of 2018 Environmental Assessment Focused on construction project in the Gap Complete end of 2018
SB 267 Approved by the Legislature this session Authorizes lease-purchase of state buildings beginning as soon as July 1, 2018 $1.8 billion of the proceeds to CDOT Over a four-year period to fund transportation projects 20-year period to pay back that loan At least 25% of the proceeds to rural counties At least 10% of the proceeds go to transit projects Downpayment on CDOT s $20B + needs statewide
Process for Selecting Projects for SB 267 Transportation Commission will consider selection criteria over the summer Project list may not be finalized until next June/July or later Stakeholders have several ways to provide input into SB 267 project selection process TPR and MPO meetings CDOT Regions will solicit input from local governments, particularly through MPOs and TPRs Transportation Commission and State Transportation Advisory Committee meetings
Project Coordination Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) Project Management Team (PMT) Technical Working Group (TWG) Steering Committee (SC) Stakeholder Focus Groups Public Meetings Facebook Live Telephone Town Halls Events 4 Project website: ww.codot.gov/projects/i25cosden
Visit the project website: https://www.codot.gov/projects/i25cosden Sign up for corridor travel alerts: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/codot/subscriber /new?pop=t&qsp=1851 THANK YOU! 19