Melissa Laeser,Transportation Manager

Special to the Post Independent

Eighty percent of voters in the current RFTA jurisdictions rate RFTA as “positive” according to a report to the RFTA board of directors at its May meeting. Fredrick Polls, an independent political pollster based in the Washington, D.C., area, reported the results of the recent poll conducted in our region.

Voters in the existing RFTA jurisdictions where service is available were asked questions regarding RFTA’s image, service and financial situation. Voters were also asked about the current economic situation and taxation levels.

Results are very positive for the organization, and the majority of the people questioned had great things to say about our regional transit service. Of the people surveyed who ride the bus, approximately 87 percent feel that the cost to ride RFTA is a good value for the service they receive, 90 percent feel that RFTA buses run on time, 95 percent feel that RFTA provides reliable service regardless of weather conditions, and 88 percent said that RFTA makes the daily commute easier.

RFTA is also helping our valley and improving our quality of life. Of the respondents who ride the bus, 90 percent feel that RFTA provides a convenient alternative to automobiles – which takes cars off our roads and lessens congestion, and 83 percent feel that RFTA plays a crucial role in the economy by transporting people to jobs, creating jobs and allowing tourists to travel easily within our community.

With these positive results, why wouldn’t you ride the bus? It’s convenient, hassle-free, and can make your daily commute easier. Schedules, fare information and a “guide to ride” can be obtained from http://www.rfta.com.

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

Construction updates

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 start the installation of the new sidewalk and driveways. Driveways will be closed due to this work for three days at a time. The contractor will contact residents about when residents must park in the street.

Grand River Construction will be patching and crack sealing streets starting Wednesday, May 19. Work will start on North Midland going south toward 8th Street and South Blake Avenue from East 29th Street going south to Highway 82. There will be slight delays for traffic between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be present to make sure traffic gets through the work zone safely.

GMCO will be chip-sealing Midland Avenue, South Grand Avenue and South Blake Avenue Wednesday and Thursday, May 19-20. Work will start on Midland Ave. at 10th Street and go south to the intersection of Mount Sopris Drive. South Grand Avenue will be from 27th Street to 33rd Street. There will be slight traffic delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be present to make sure traffic gets through the work zone safely. Drivers will need to be cautious with driving speeds to prevent broken windshields. On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 25-26, the contractor will sweep and seal these streets to complete the process.

The City will continue work on the North Glenwood Sewer Improvement Project on 2nd, 3rd and 4th streets between Laurel and Pine over the next few months.

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 detours on both 8th and Cooper adjacent to the project.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 detours on both 8th and Cooper adjacent to the project.