3 lanes on the Boulder Turnpike? (Westminster, Sheridan: house, layoffs, transfer)

[Mikieo415]

Does anyone know if they are going to widen US 36 to 3 lanes? Out of all the infrastructure improvements over the last few years you would think that would be on the table.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Mikieo415

Does anyone know if they are going to widen US 36 to 3 lanes? Out of all the infrastructure improvements over the last few years you would think that would be on the table.

The answer for that question is that the EIS (Einvironmental Inpact Statement) is being completed on this project.
The website is: US 36 EIS - HomePage Maintenance

One of the two preferred alternatives will add a general purpose lane and a HOV(High Occupancy Vehicle) lane; the other alternative will add only a HOV lane with an Express (Toll) Lane.

This project is being done in conjunction with the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and the Northwest Rail Line, on the corridor, under fastracks. Information can be found on: FasTracks Home.

Simple answer is that the decision has not been made. However, if you want to know more, read the info on the links I gave you.

I have attended some meetings and I believe that no "general purpose lane", or express lane will be added only an HOV lane because of federal and local opposition---but we will see. I am one of the local opposition and I support no additional "general purpose lane" because we need to get people out of their cars and use the BRT and Commuter Rail.

Livecontent

[oberon]

I agree with livecontent. I would like to see the HOT lanes extended to Boulder, with centerline BRT stations and dedicated on/off ramps at high traffic intersections, as the FasTracks project intends to do. There is not really much room left for US-36 to expand in many areas.. so we need to be proactive.

[tfox]

CDOT has no money to fix the roads we already have, much less build anything new. Referendum D, which was to fund highway improvements, failed in 2006, so no new money. The road construction you see going on right now is mostly old money already spoken for.

Until CDOT's funding mechanism gets fixed (through higher fuel taxes, higher registration fees, or Vehicle Miles Travelled Taxes), there won't be any new highway construction anywhere unless the local communities pay for it themselves.

When and if money does occur, US 36 HOV/HOT will probably be high on the priority list because of Fastracks, but other than that fixing the I-70E viaduct, fixing I-25 at Santa Fe, fixing the U.S. 6 interchange with I-25, etc will take priority, since these are safety issues which take precedence over road expansion priorities.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by tfox

CDOT has no money to fix the roads we already have, much less build anything new. Referendum D, which was to fund highway improvements, failed in 2006, so no new money. The road construction you see going on right now is mostly old money already spoken for.

Until CDOT's funding mechanism gets fixed (through higher fuel taxes, higher registration fees, or Vehicle Miles Travelled Taxes), there won't be any new highway construction anywhere unless the local communities pay for it themselves.

When and if money does occur, US 36 HOV/HOT will probably be high on the priority list because of Fastracks, but other than that fixing the I-70E viaduct, fixing I-25 at Santa Fe, fixing the U.S. 6 interchange with I-25, etc will take priority, since these are safety issues which take precedence over road expansion priorities.

You are correct about the money and funding under the failed proposition but that does not mean CDOT will not get federal funding for the HOV. My understanding, from going to the meetings, is that the funding for the HOV can go forward with federal funds. It is a little confusing and I do not understand the full financing.

The BRT part of the project will be funded by fastracks, the state and federal funds, that is already agreed, if the EIS is approved by the feds. In order to put in the BRT, there has to be some design changes to 36 and that is where the funding for the HOV can be available from federal monies. That is why I believe only a HOV will be added and no general purpose lanes.

I try to follow all the different fastrack lines because I have an interest but I am more interested in the line close to my home, The Gold Line. I live near 64th and Sheridan and I will be about 1/3 mile from the Sheridan Station.

I am down the road (3.5 miles) from the BRT at Westminster Center (which also may?? get a rail station) and very near the rail station in the old area of Westmister (3 miles) off of 71st and Lowell--these are all part of the Northwest Line.

I will be positively impacted by Fastrack--that is why I am look forward to completion.

Livecontent

[kristenfromdenver]

With all this talk about the problems with SPRAWL, I am starting to wonder if they should not widen the roads to discourage people living 30 minutes away from where they work. light rail will be here in a few years...Perhaps we shouldn't make it too easy?? Any thoughts on that?

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

With all this talk about the problems with SPRAWL, I am starting to wonder if they should not widen the roads to discourage people living 30 minutes away from where they work. light rail will be here in a few years...Perhaps we shouldn't make it too easy?? Any thoughts on that?

Yes, several thoughts.
1. It sounds like a good idea, however, you can't force anyone to live anywhere. And if my DH's expeience is typical, layoffs in high-tech are frequent and you can't always be too picky about where you take a job. In other words, you might initially live close to work, but have to take another job some distance from your home. Moving homes, especially if you own a house and have kids in school, is difficult.

2. It's alreay a mess with people who already here.

3. Not everyone driving on any road is driving 30 miles to work.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

With all this talk about the problems with SPRAWL, I am starting to wonder if they should not widen the roads to discourage people living 30 minutes away from where they work. light rail will be here in a few years...Perhaps we shouldn't make it too easy?? Any thoughts on that?

You have figured it out. That is exacly some of the reasoning behind the planning of mass transporations in this country. The Federal and State governments are started to put more money into mass transit and fund Transportation Oriented Development (TOD) with denser housing.

Note: Commuter Rail will be more Heavy Rail not Light Rail--Read my post under "Light Rail".

Livecontent

[oberon]

Unfortunately, I don't think that it's reasonable to expect people to live near where they work. But I bet many will use public transportation to commute to work if that poses a reasonable alternative for them.

Livecontent, I don't think Westminster Center will get a rail station, just BRT. But, at least in theory, one could transfer up at Westminster Promenade, where the tracks cross under 36, which is also the next station towards Boulder in the BRT project. At least that's the current plan.

Tfox is right. CDOT is terribly underfunded. They released a document saying they're $48 billion short through 2030, just to maintain existing roads. They also proposed an additional $55 billion in needed improvements to handle growth.

Here is a summary document:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/StateWide...ure2030SWP.pdf
Here is a much more detailed document:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/StateWide...ion%20Plan.pdf

I'd like to see our infrastructure keep up with the growth, and am willing to pay my share to support it.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Yes, several thoughts.
1. It sounds like a good idea, however, you can't force anyone to live anywhere. And if my DH's expeience is typical, layoffs in high-tech are frequent and you can't always be too picky about where you take a job. In other words, you might initially live close to work, but have to take another job some distance from your home. Moving homes, especially if you own a house and have kids in school, is difficult.

2. It's alreay a mess with people who already here.

3. Not everyone driving on any road is driving 30 miles to work.

I agree and disagree with you. We may not be able to force "anyone to live anywhere" but it will be extremely unpleasant and expensive.

As gas prices rise, housing at the far distance of commuting to cities become less attractive.

Governments can make these developments and individuals pay more for the infractructure: sewer, roads, water and power to built and maintain their distant abodes. This is not only being discussed--it is being done and will be done more in the future. You can have what you want, but you will pay for it.

People can make choices that widen their options. It can make sense to be close to multiple job options, in case situations change and you have to get another job--that is one reason people live in a city.

If you choose to live in a remote development then you have very few options if:

The nearby job ceases to exist or the expense (gas) to get to the job becomes prohibitive. You will be left in a distant house, that fewer people want and you need to sell to get closer to your job. It has happened in the petroleum embargo of 1979 and it is happening today with the cost rising.

You get ill and you need constant trips to the medical technology and/or you get old (you will not maybe) or disabled and you cannot drive and the buses for the disabled do not run to your distant castle. I know this from experience, the Access Ride has a federal retriction for funding: "Your trip must have a starting and ending point within 3/4 mile of an RTD non-commuter fixed route." There are many, many people who live in this area, very close in, who are more than 3/4 mile from a bus route--they find out too late that they cannot get service.

You loose your income, you cannot afford a car and their are no other transportation alternatives.

Yes, people can make their choices and have all the rights they can grab but they are going to pay for it themselves.

Livecontent