What's the Future of I-70?

Well, it's endless studies, long debates, and the number of people participating is growing by the day.  The ski resorts of Clear Creek, Summit and Eagle Counties are served by Interstate 70.  It gets people here from Denver International Airport, from Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and other cities.  And it's full. 

So, full that the somewhat regular news is a new record for the number of cars that passed through the Eisenhower Tunnel that day.  The trip to Summit County, if taken on a Friday evening, can take 2-3 hours easily.  And going back on Sunday afternoon demands the same toll.  Even more if it's inclement weather.  Add another hour or so if there is an accident up ahead blocking traffic.  A few nights ago, Mary and I were driving back to the County from Denver and got stopped a mile east of the Tunnel for an hour and 45 minutes.  Seems a semi-trailer truck had jacknifed IN THE TUNNEL.  Not a good scene. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is charged with implementing the final plan, and its director has, in the view of some, established an arbitrary budget limit which eliminates some popular options. 

Options include widening the highway from 4 to 6 lanes, either with or without conditions in place to allow for future mass transit; going to five lanes, using a bi-directional lane for a bus; simply providing a mass transit option; and combinations of these.  The least expensive plan simply allows for alleviating traffic at certain "pinch points". 

So, everybody is now weighing in.  The Town of Dillon supports 6-laning, while the Silverthorne Town Council cannot reach consensus.  Our Future Summit, a grass roots organization, has met a few times now, and it's clear that this group favors mass transit. 

The main problem with 6-laning is the projected 15-year construction project which will affect life, and create even more traffic congestion over that period.  It's not an easy task to find answers for.  But, it's important enough that it's got citizens in all affected communities abuzz.  Stay tuned.