EIS for North I-25 Front Range Corridor Initiated

The Colorado Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, has initiated an Environmental Impact Statement for the North I-25 Front Range Corridor.

The study will determine the effect of adding various transportation improvements in northern Colorado on the lives of residents and commuters in the area. It will produce a draft EIS, a final EIS and a record of decision, required for using federal transportation funds on future improvements.

The North I-25 Front Range EIS is the next step toward improved mobility and safety in the I-25 corridor. The EIS will explore regional transportation options on I-25 between northern Colorado population centers, including Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley.
The eastern boundary of the study area will be the US 85 corridor, and the western boundary will be the US 287 corridor. To effectively evaluate the use of transit options in this region, the southern boundary of the study area will include Denver's Union Station for possible passenger rail and regional bus services.

During the EIS process, engineers and environmental analysts will evaluate different transportation options, including the addition of lanes and safety features on I-25, the creation of HOV lanes, high-occupancy toll lanes, bus rapid transit lanes and extended/improved bus service.

In addition to highway improvements, the team will evaluate the effectiveness of differing passenger rail options to serve citizens and commuters in northern Colorado. As set out in the national Environmental Policy Act, the study team will also evaluate a no-action alternative.

The three-year study is supported by a consultant team contracted by CDOT. The team includes lead engineering firm Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, environmental services consultant Carter & Burgess Inc. and public involvement/public relations consultant PRACO Ltd.

For more information of the North I-25 Front Range EIS, go to the study's Web site at www.i25northforty.com/EIS or contact Public Outreach Manger Kim Podobnik at 303-689-0704.

Shooks Run Drainage Improvement Wins Community Design Award

URS Corp. and the City of Colorado Springs recently received an award from the Partnership for Community Design. The PCD Design Award recognizes URS and the city for efforts in enhancing the visual environment and quality of life in the Colorado Springs area.

The Shooks Run Drainage Improvement project removed obstructions to the channel system so flood flows would no longer inundate local businesses and residents.
Specific design elements of the project incorporated converting the creek from pipe and culvert back to a natural meandering stream course, created new park areas and open space, connected elements of the Shooks Run trail system and upgraded the safety of the pedestrian crossing of Pikes Peak Avenue.

CDOT Unveils New Slogan

The Colorado Department of Transportation has unveiled a new slogan to help the public understand the department's scope of work and its philosophy. The slogan - "Taking Care to Get You There" - is intended to convey the basic role of CDOT employees.

"This new slogan truly identifies CDOT's philosophy of serving the public," said CDOT Executive Director Tom Norton. "No matter what an employee's job entails, there is great care taken to see that the public is safe and our transportation system is efficient. We want the public to understand the department's beliefs and the presence of the slogan will help accomplish that."

The slogan will be the sign-off that accompanies the CDOT logo: "When you think of CDOT, think of safety, trust, dedication, efficiency and innovation."

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