Welcome. Public Meeting. August 2, :00 to 7:00 p.m. Presentation 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Transcription

1 Welcome Public Meeting August 2, :00 to 7:00 p.m. Presentation 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

2 Welcome to the South Bridge Environmental Assessment Public Meeting Why Are We Here Tonight? Present general project information Present design revisions made to the Preferred Alternative 10B that was evaluated in the 2013 Environmental Assessment Receive feedback/comments on the revised Preferred Alternative and the project in general Discuss next steps

3 Project PURPOSE and NEED Statement The purpose of the South Bridge project is to provide a critical second route between SH 82 and the western side of the Roaring Fork River in the southern Glenwood Springs area. This new route would improve emergency evacuation, emergency service access, and local land use access. This second route would respond to the congressional earmark for the Glenwood Springs South Bridge (new, off system bridge), Public Law , 109th Congress.

4 Project PURPOSE and NEED Statement (continued) The following project needs for the South Bridge project are based on identified transportation problems: Emergency access capacity and redundancy of the area located on the west side of the Roaring Fork River in the southern Glenwood Springs area is limited. Emergency evacuation needs include increased local capacity to support both emergency vehicle ingress and evacuation egress. The limited redundancy results in longer emergency service provider travel times between SH 82 south of Glenwood Springs and the study area. The limited redundancy also increases the likelihood of a catastrophic occurrence where residents and visitors could be stranded if the existing primary access route is cut off. General transportation access to the west side of the Roaring Fork River in the southern Glenwood Springs area is constrained. Planned growth in this area is bringing an increasing demand for reasonable access. The existing primary access route via Midland Avenue is prone to temporary closure due to natural hazards and accidents. Currently, no other reasonable access options exist.

5 Project GOALS Minimize environmental impacts to scenic, aesthetic, historic, and natural resources. Provide a project that is in harmony with the community. Provide a practical and financially realistic alternative. Minimize private property impacts. Safely accommodate traffic on area roadways. Provide an alternative that is consistent with local plans, regional plans, and current studies. Provide a design that encourages multi-modal travel and does not preclude future multimodal alternatives in the study area.

6 What is an Environmental Assessment? A transportation related Environmental Assessment (EA) is a specific level of documentation required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An EA includes: Definition of the purpose and need for the project Description of a range of reasonable transportation alternatives considered including the Preferred Alternative Evaluation of potential social, economic, historical, and environmental impacts of proposed improvements Definition of measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate negative impacts Description of public involvement and input to decision-making

7 Environmental Assessment Process Steps in the Process Activities Public & agency meetings Scoping & Data Collection Collect environmental data Identify existing traffic conditions Identify issues and concerns Define current and future land use Develop Purpose and Need Develop future traffic projections Collect data on roadway deficiencies Document need for improvements Develop evaluation criteria Alternatives Development and Screening Define range of alternatives Evaluate alternatives Screen alternatives Refine alternatives Develop preferred alternative Document alternatives considered Prepare Draft Environmental Assessment Evaluate impacts of reasonable alternatives Identify preferred alternative Document the process followed Identify mitigation measures Environmental Assessment For Review Provide EA to public & agencies (30-day review) Conduct public hearing Receive comments Describe project changes after Environmental We are here in the Process Prepare Final Decision Document Assessment Describe changes to preferred alternative design Update impacts and mitigation measures Provide basis for decision Commit to mitigation for impacts Document decision Address public and agency comments Signed by CDOT and FHWA

8 Alternatives Screening Process REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES INITIAL ALTERNATIVES (LEVEL 1) LEVEL 1 (FATAL FLAW) SCREENING LEVEL 2 ALTERNATIVES LEVEL 2 COMPARATIVE SCREENING LEVEL 3/4 ALTERNATIVES LEVEL 3/4 DETAILED SCREENING PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Note: Please refer to Flip Charts for details on alternatives evaluated and screening.

9 0.1 0 RFTA Transit/Trail Corridor Parcels 0.1 Miles R Four Mile Ranch Neighborhood 16 1 R C Tunnel Water Quality Pond r e v i kr r o F g n i r Roa Sunlight Mountain Resort E RD L I M R FOU Rodeo Grounds Airport Park East Neighborhood Water Quality Pond Lazy H Slash Eleven Ranch Bridge Holy Cross Energy El Rocko Mobile Home Park Buffalo Valley Restaurant and Motel Mountain View Church 54 1 CR LEGEND Preferred Alternative D N A L ID VE M A CR Cardiff Glen Neighborhood 82 Signalized, at-grade intersection at SH 82 Preferred Alternative Evaluated in Environmental Assessment RED CAÑ ON RD or d i r r o C RFTA D R RT O P R AI

10 RED CAÑON NRD LEGEND Preferred Alternative RFTA Transit/Trail Corridor Parcels Miles R Revised Preferred Alternative 10B Cardiff Glen Neighborhood Park East Neighborhood CR-154 CR-160 Mountain View Church Roaring Fork River Airport Buffalo Valley Restaurant and Motel AIRPORT RD RD El Rocko Mobile Home Park CR-116 Rodeo Grounds Holy Cross Energy Water Quality Pond Tunnel Bridge Water Quality Pond Lazy H Slash Eleven Ranch Four Mile Ranch Neighborhood 82 RFTA Corridor MIDLAND AVE AVE FOUR MILE RD Sunlight Mountain Resort New Proposed Interchange SH 82 over South Bridge

11 Revised Preferred Alternative 10B Park East Neighborhood Roaring Fork Fork River CR-154 Mountain View Church FRONTAGE RD RD CR-116 Buffalo Valley Restaurant and Motel El Rocko Mobile Home Park Close Existing Access Holy Cross Energy Tunnel Water Quality Pond New Access Bridge New Access Water Quality Pond Retaining Wall RED CAÑON RD Ramps to/from SH 82 New Proposed Interchange SH 82 over South Bridge Lazy H Slash Eleven Ranch Close Existing Access SH 82 Raised 8 Feet (max) over South Bridge RFTA Corridor 82

12 Preferred Alternative Design Modifications Design changes made to the Preferred Alternative evaluated in the Environmental Assessment: Raise SH 82 approximately 8 feet at South Bridge Provide a diamond interchange at South Bridge and SH 82 South Bridge at-grade crossing at RFTA Corridor Provide frontage road along east side of SH 82 for local access Relocate bike trail to the west to cross under South Bridge

13 Identified Preferred Alternative Cross-Sections Airport Road Roadway Section Sidewalk Bike Lane 2 6 Curb & Gutter 2 6 Curb & Gutter Travel Lane Travel Lane Sidewalk Bike Lane Landscape Area Landscape Area Tunnel Section Curb & Gutter 2 6 Curb & Gutter Varies Sidewalk Bike Lane Travel Lane Median 11 0 Travel Lane 8 0 Sidewalk Bike Lane 1 0 Note: Typical Tunnel Section is 12 feet wider then the version in Environmental Assesssment. Bridge Section Curb & Gutter 2 6 Curb & Gutter Barrier Sidewalk Bike Lane Travel Lane Travel Lane Sidewalk Bike Lane Barrier Pedestrian Fence

14 Identified Preferred Alternative Traffic Calming Elements Traffic calming elements for the Airport Road improvements include those being implemented as part of the Midland Avenue Traffic Calming project between 9th Street and 7th Street, as shown below: Speed Display Sign Alternating Curb Extension Median SPEED LIMIT 25 YOUR SPEED Speed Table Medians With Raised Pedestrian Crossing Traffic Circle Stop Sign With Raised Pedestrian Crossing Choker

15 Summary of Impacts and Comparison Resource No Action Alternative Preferred Alternative 10B New or Different Impacts from Design Changes to Alternative 10B Traffic will continue to increase. Would shift traffic from the 27th Street Bridge No or minor change from EA. Traffic to the South Bridge. No or minor changes. SH 82/CR 154 intersection changed from full access with traffic signal to unsignalized with access from the west East side of SH 82 residential access changed Traffic Access to right-in/right-out. West of SH 82, access points at Holy Cross Energy and Lazy H Slash Eleven Ranch west of SH 82 closed and new access provided along South Bridge/Airport Road. Instead of a signalized intersection at SH 82, a new diamond interchange would be provided. SH 82 would be raised over South Bridge connection. Stop signs or signals at end of SH 82 ramps for intersection with South Bridge. The number of crashes is Safety expected to increase as traffic increases. Implementation of right-in/right-out access and roundabouts would reduce crashes in the study area. Traffic on SH 82 would be free flowing, improving safety and mobility on SH 82. No other changes. Airport Operations No change to airport operations. Would require temporary closure of the No change. airport for three months during construction. Social Conditions Limited accessibility may impede access to community facilities and hinder emergency egress and evacuation. Limited accessibility for land uses in the south Glenwood Springs area. Improved emergency access, accessibility, No change. safety, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

16 Summary of Impacts and Comparison (continued) Resource No Action Alternative Preferred Alternative 10B New or Different Impacts from Design Changes to Alternative 10B No new right-of-way required. Requires acres of new right-of way. No residential or business displacements. Right-of-Way 1.65 acres of an existing conservation easement would be converted to a transportation use. Similar impacts but some additional ROW will be needed near SH 82. As traffic increases, six noisesensitive receptors would meet or exceed federal noise criteria. Noise Noise levels at 8 noise-sensitive properties (mostly residences) would meet or exceed the noise criteria. 14 properties have a noise increase of 10 dba or more over existing conditions. Noise barriers and berms analyzed at Cardiff Glen subdivision. Potential for increased noise levels along new SH 82 interchange because of free flowing traffic. No impacts. No permanent impacts, less than 0.02 acre of No change. temporary impacts. Wetlands Shade impacts of approximately acre would alter vegetation regime. Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Planned growth would decrease the amount of available of habitat. Land converted to transportation use would decrease habitat, but impacts are minimal because of the degree of development in the study area. No change to direct impacts. Indirect impacts are anticipated as a result of the proposed retaining walls along SH 82. Long-term effects to wildlife movement and migration are anticipated.

17 Summary of Impacts and Comparison (continued) Resource No Action Alternative Preferred Alternative 10B New or Different Impacts from Design Changes to Alternative 10B Visual Resources No impacts. Foreground views would be impacted by the increase in traffic volumes along Airport Road and additional pavement. The proposed bridge would be visible to recreationists on the Roaring Fork River. Changed views to/from businesses on the east side of SH 82 from proposed retaining walls adjacent to SH 82 and higher elevation of SH 82. No change to trail users. Historic No impacts. Preservation Access changes at the Cardiff Coke Ovens and the lowering of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad grade. Temporary impacts to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Permanent easement required at South Bridge crossing of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Parks and No impacts. Recreation 0.05 acre of rodeo grounds converted to transportation use. New bridge visible to recreationists on No change. Roaring Fork River. Improved multimodal access to rodeo grounds with new pedestrian/ bicycle facilities. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities No improvements to discontinuous sidewalks. No southern connection across the Roaring Fork River for bicyclists and pedestrians. Rio Grande Trail would travel under the South Bridge connection. Temporary detour of the trail during construction. New continuous sidewalk from Airport Road/ Midland Avenue intersection to SH 82. Minor realignment of Rio Grande trail. No other changes. Mitigation The EA identifies proposed measures to mitigate for these and other environmental impacts.

18 How to Provide Comments on the Project Please provide comments on the project. Please submit your written comments by Wednesday, August 16, Written comments can be made as follows: Public Meeting tonight: Fill in a comment form and leave in box or mail to address below. Mail: Regina Pretti Administrative Assistant City of Glenwood Springs Engineering Dept. 101 West 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO Fax: (attn. Regina Pretti) regina.pretti@cogs.us

19 Project Schedule/Next Steps Environmental Assessment complete in October Changes to the Preferred Alternative and related coordination with stakeholders such as Roaring Fork Transportation Authority and Garfield County has been ongoing since early FHWA will issue a decision document for the Environmental Assessment, which is planned to occur in spring Upon completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process, subsequent project phases will follow, to include:» Preliminary and final engineering design (approx. 1 year)» Right-of-way acquisition (approx. 1-2 years)» Project construction (2+ years depending on funding and project phasing)

20 Thank You for coming to tonight s Public Meeting