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Grand paving presents challenges, opportunities

Cathy TuttleSpecial to the Post Independent

“The trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work.”- Author unknownOn Feb. 5 and 6 the Colorado Department of Transportation will be hosting a public meeting to discuss plans and solicit feedback regarding the 2004 Grand Avenue Concrete Paving Construction project. In anticipation of this project a Work Session was hosted in the fall of 2002 with City Council and members of the Glenwood Springs Chamber, Downtown Development Authority and Transportation Demand Management program (TRY/TDM). The result of this meeting was to assemble a task force of diverse community leaders to develop three alternative plans for Ride Glenwood and other transit challenges and opportunities that the six- to nine-month 2004 Grand Avenue Concrete project could create. A specific goal has been defined to look at programs that enhance the quality of life and vacation experience for residents and guests of Glenwood Springs through transit and trail programs that achieve the greatest reduction of vehicles on 6&24 and Highway 82/Grand Avenue.Currently the average daily traffic on the Grand Avenue Bridge is 29,700 vehicles per day. When the Sunlight Bridge was under construction (a 10-week project), only 10 percent of Glenwood’s traffic was impacted.The Transportation/Tourism Task Force plans would be to: outline available technologies, listing pros and cons of each; possible bus schedule and routing; how to meet market needs; projected revenues and expenditures of each alternative; and determining possible funding sources.This task force is planning to meet with the Transportation Commission on April 1 to list three alternatives and present their recommended alternative. The next step would then be a formal presentation to City Council.During April, May and June of 2003 this group would then determine and execute a professional-conducted survey to ask if the community wants the new buses and routes and how they would like to see them funded.Bus transit and other alternative transportation tools will be utilized during the 2004 Grand Avenue project as well as traffic routing, construction scheduling and other items to be discussed during CDOT’s public meeting. Anyone who drives between 8th Street and 23rd Street on state Highway 82 (Grand Avenue) is encouraged to attend either the Wednesday, Feb. 5, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, Feb. 6, 7:30 to 10 a.m., public meeting at the Glenwood Springs City Hall, Council Chambers. Transportation Responsibility & You, one day at a time!Cathy Tuttle is with the consulting firm of Tuttle Marketing and Communications and is the TRY/TDM manager/consultant for the city of Glenwood Springs. For additional information please call 384-6427 or e-mail to try@ci.glenwood-springs.co.us. This column appears every Monday to explain how each person in our community can make a difference in our quality of life. Transportation Responsibility & You – one day at a time, one trip at a time!


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