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SPEAKOUT: Finally, real progress on the Interstate 70 mountain corridor

By Kevin O'Malley

Published May 18, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Everyone who has driven the Interstate 70 mountain corridor during peak travel times has an opinion about what should be done to "fix it." Those opinions tend to fall into the following camps.

* "High-speed transit is the only way to responsibly address the problem."

* "Putting six lanes from one end of Clear Creek County to the other is the only realistic way to reduce congestion."

* "We really need both six lanes and high-speed transit."

* "If we fix the pinch points on the highway, that should be enough."

* "We shouldn't do anything because the high country is already too crowded."

Add into this the idea that whatever happens, somebody else should pay for it. It has been hard to find common ground among that diverse group of opinions.

The Collaborative Effort that the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration put together to forge a consensus about the future of the I-70 mountain corridor has reached an agreement in principle. As a participant, I'd like to explain why this process and this decision have been so difficult.

The agreement that is being put together by CDOT, FHWA and a subcommittee of the Collaborative Effort group goes as far as we possibly can, at this point, to stop arguing and begin addressing the problem.

The proposal will allow work to begin on a number of congestion points. Those areas include the twin tunnels east of Idaho Springs to Floyd Hill, Empire junction and the approaches to the Eisenhower Tunnel in Clear Creek County, Dowd Canyon in Eagle County, select areas in Summit County, and curve smoothing and interchange improvements throughout the corridor. That work will likely use up all the available highway funding that has been identified for this corridor through 2025.

In addition, there is a commitment to do the studies needed to determine if high-speed transit is a viable option in the corridor and, if it is, to put together a funding mechanism for consideration.

Finally, after the highway work is done, the studies have been completed and, if feasible, a transit system has been built - but no later than 2025 in any case - a group similar to the Collaborative Effort group will be called together to make any necessary decisions for additional work.

Along with a number of other people, I have invested years of my life in identifying and understanding the complicated issues surrounding the I-70 mountain corridor. I want to thank Gov. Bill Ritter, CDOT Director Russ George, the CDOT staff and FHWA for giving all of the stakeholders this unprecedented opportunity to come together and build a fair and responsible solution to an extremely difficult problem.

Kevin O'Malley is a Clear Creek County commissioner. He is a resident of Evergreen.

Comments

  • May 18, 2008

    7:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Oh_Wise_One writes:

    What about the toll charge? Where's the doofus that wanted us to pay more to drive the road we already paid for? He wasn't just looking to get his name in the press, was he?

  • May 20, 2008

    6:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mike_In_Hartsel writes:

    Oh_Wise_One you are such a cynic! A politician just seeking to get his name in the paper? What a silly notion.

  • May 21, 2008

    9:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    Mr. O'Malley..I am hoping some intelligent thought and hard work goes into solving I-70' numerous problems.

    The toll charge was initiated by Chris Romer the son of the fine upstanding ex-governor Roy (cheated on his wife) Romer.
    I wonder if sonny was grandfathered in when Roy left office. I am surprised he didn't exact a 50.00 dollar per person toll and direct it straight to his wallet.

    Chris Romer is scary! I fear we haven't heard the last of him!!