Public Invited to Twin Tunnels Environmental Hearing

July 20, 2012 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - IDAHO SPRINGS – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are holding a public hearing next week regarding the Interstate 70 Twin Tunnels Environmental Assessment (EA).

It will be held on Wednesday, July 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Clear Creek County School District Office, 320 State Highway 103, in Idaho Springs.   An informational presentation is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period at 7 p.m.

Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide verbal or written comments on the recommended improvements to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow on eastbound I-70, from east Idaho Springs, through the Twin Tunnels, and east to the bottom of Floyd Hill.  CDOT and FHWA are proposing to widen the interstate to three lanes, including the eastbound bore of the tunnels, and soften the curve just east of the tunnels.  Congestion pricing also is under consideration for one of the lanes during peak traffic periods.

Comments received during the hearing will be officially documented by a court reporter.

Copies of the EA are available for review at public offices and libraries throughout the I-70 Mountain Corridor and on the project website: www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels.  The public comment period on the EA continues through August 4, 2012.

The FHWA is expected to issue a decision in the fall of 2012. If the project is approved, construction would begin in late 2012, and opened to traffic in October 2013.

“When completed, the proposed improvements would provide immediate benefits for safety and mobility,” said CDOT’s I-70 Mountain Corridor Manager Jim Bemelen.  “Average travel time would be reduced by 27 minutes during peak travel periods on weekends.  The improvements also could reduce crashes between 20 and 35 percent.”

For those unable to attend the meeting, comments can be submitted via the project website at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels, via email: [email protected], or by regular mail: David Singer, CDOT, 425C Corporate Circle, Golden, CO 80401.

 

The Twin Tunnels EA is a Tier 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study conducted by CDOT and FHWA.  The study honors all commitments in the I-70 Mountain Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision, and has been conducted in accordance with the I-70 Mountain Corridor Context Sensitive Solutions guidance.