Context Sensitive Solutions on the I-70 Mountain Corridor
Founded on a set of principles outlined in the context statement and core values, the I-70 Mountain Corridor Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process brings together a multi-disciplined, multi-interest stakeholder group tasked with providing guidance for future studies, designs, and construction projects to ensure that stakeholder values, such as preserving and maintaining scenic and environmental integrity, are incorporated into the project decision making process. For more information on the CSS process, including CSS teams and roles, decision making, and amending the process, check out the information tabs below.
Context-Sensitive Solution Team Roles and Responsibility Graphic (Download the full Context Sensitve Solutions for the Interstate-70 Mountain Corridor transcript)
What is a Context Statement?
A context statement seeks to capture in words the special qualities and attributes that define a place as unique. A context statement should capture in words that which was true fifty years ago and that which must be considered during the development of improvements in order to sustain truth in those same words for fifty years to come.
"The I-70 Mountain Corridor is a magnificent, scenic place. Human elements are woven through breathtaking natural features. The integration of these diverse elements has occurred over the course of time. This corridor is a recreational destination for the world, a route for interstate and local commerce, and a unique place to live. It is our commitment to seek balance and provide for twenty-first-century uses. We will continue to foster and nurture new ideas to address the challenges we face. We respect the importance of individual communities, the natural environment, and the need for safe and efficient travel. Well-thought-out choices create a sustainable legacy".
What is a Core Value?
A Core Value describes something of significant importance to stakeholders -- something they respect and will work to protect and preserve. Core Values must be honored and understood. Decisions and choices made along the I-70 Mountain Corridor should be influenced by and support the following Core Values:
Sustainability is an overarching value that creates solutions for today that do not diminish resources for future generations. Ideal solutions generate long-term benefits to economic strength, scenic integrity, community vitality, environmental health, and ecosystems.
Methods for decision making must be fair, open, equitable, and inclusive. Collaboration moves decision making beyond individual and agency interests. New ideas will always be considered with respect and an open mind.
Enhancing safety for all is paramount in all decisions.
A healthy environment requires taking responsibility to preserve, restore, and enhance natural resources and ecosystems.
Humankind’s past has contributed to the sense of place. The broad historic context is foundational to the corridor’s character and must be a part of every conversation.
We must respect the individuality of communities in a manner that promotes their viability. The character of the corridor is realized in the differences and commonalities of its communities.
Mobility and accessibility must address local, regional, and national travel by providing reliability, efficiency, and inter-connectivity between systems and communities.
Aesthetics will be inspired by the surroundings, protect scenic integrity, and incorporate the context of place. Timeless design continues the corridor’s legacy.
Users of the CSS Guidance should understand the Context Statement and the Core Values. Further, users must develop plans and designs using the I-70 Mountain Corridor Decision-Making Process, and must allow the I-70 Mountain Corridor stakeholders to influence decisions and choices while creating sustainability and balance within each project.
Corridor Guidance is presented in the following categories:
The Amendment Process allows for the best and newest ideas, consistent with our vision and goals, to be used on the corridor. To ensure flexibility to address and/or incorporate innovations, new techniques, advanced technologies, and emerging trends, this Amendment Process has been designed to revise and update the Context Statement, the Core Values, and the proposed strategies. To amend the CSS Guidance, follow the steps provided below and E-mail amendment requests to [email protected].
Steps to Amending the I-70 Mountain Corridor CSS Guidance:
Step 1: Define Desired Outcomes and Actions
- Establish the Project Staff
- Identify elements of the CSS Guidance for review and potential amendment or revision
- Determine desired outcomes from the amendment or revision and actions needed to implement the amendment
- Define the initial inputs
- Establish the stakeholder list
- Draft the Amendment Work Plan
Step 2: Endorse the Process
- Identify the problems that amending the guidance will address
- Confirm inputs and desired outcomes with the Project Leadership Team and stakeholders
- Endorse the Amendment Work Plan
Step 3: Establish Criteria
- Identify the opportunities amending the identified guidance will provide
- Identify additional information needs
Step 4: Develop Alternatives or Options
- Present the revision with the benefits and action items needed to implement the revision
- Consider Lessons Learned and previous results from applying the existing guidance
Step 5: Evaluate and Select Alternative or Option
- Evaluate and refine potential revisions
Step 6: Finalize Documentation
- Document revisions and the Amendment Process
- Amend the I-70 Mountain Corridor CSS Guidance
- Document Lessons Learned
