Have gas prices got you thinking differently about driving alone to work every day? At over $2 per gallon, your commute from Rifle to Aspen could cost you $1,000 per month, according to Ride Solutions, a Florida-based alternative transportation partner. Costs for commuting average $720 per month from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and $540 per month from Rifle to Glenwood Springs. Think how much you could be saving by changing the way you get to work each day.

If you compare direct costs between riding the bus and driving alone, a monthly bus pass can save you money. A RFTA pass, giving unlimited rides between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, goes for $118 per month ” a huge monthly savings compared to driving alone! A RFTA Hogback pass, servicing between Rifle and Glenwood Springs, costs $78 per month.

If riding the bus doesn’t work for you, carpooling can still save you money! For example, someone commuting from Rifle to Glenwood five days a week can save approximately $2,000 per year in commuting costs by sharing the ride with one other person.

If you consider all of the money you put into your car for commuting purposes, alternative transportation will help you save your hard-earned money. Think of all the other things you could be doing with your money besides putting it into your car for commuting purposes ” beach vacations, your kid’s college fund, or paying off debt.

For information about bus schedules, purchasing bus passes, registering to find carpool partners or other transportation options, please call 384-6437 or e-mail try@ci.glenwood-springs.co.us.

Construction updates

The city will be continuing work on the North Glenwood Sewer Improvement Project. Work will be taking place on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets between Laurel and Pine over the next few months.

The Park Drive reconstruction project from the intersection of Coach Miller Drive south to Grand Avenue will be ongoing, with an early June completion. Park Drive will remain closed except to local traffic until the project is completed.

Concrete crews will be starting the installation of the new curb and driveways. Driveways will be closed due to this work for three days at a time. Residents will be contacted by the contractor as to when you will have to park in the street.

Grand River Construction will be patching and crack sealing streets through today. Work is taking place on North Midland and going south towards 27th Street, South Grand at 27th Street to the cemetery, and South Blake Avenue from East 29th Street and going south to Highway 82. There will be slight delays for traffic between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flaggers will be present to make sure traffic gets through the work zone safely.

Starting Wednesday, May 5, through Friday, May 7, crews will be working in the residential areas of Blake, Palmer, Bennett, Pitkin and Colorado. The work in these areas will require that the on-street parking be cleared a day at each block. Signs will be posted the day before the closing and notices will be put on doors and vehicles. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Work continues on the new downtown fire station at the corner of 8th and Cooper. There should be minimal traffic interruptions, but be alert for the detours on both 8th and Cooper adjacent to the project.

Work is also continuing on a new commercial/residential building at the corner of 7th and Grand. Pedestrian detours may be expected periodically on the south side of 7th and on the West Wing Street.