Golden transcript 0919

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Transcript Golden

September 19, 2013

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A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourgoldennews.com

Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 42

FLOODED

Study continues for ‘Western Beltway’ Public sees tolling as a funding option By Amy Woodward

awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com

The Clear Creek RV park was evacuated on Sept. 13 due to flooding conditions. The banks filled up although creek paths are still open. Photo by Amy Woodward

Rainstorm drenches region Clean-up costs for massive damage not yet assessed By Amy Woodward Days after torrential rains and flooding hit Jefferson County, the region is still recovering, with several municipalities now surveying the damage. Several schools across Jefferson County remained closed on Monday, Sept. 16, with most closures located in Evergreen and in the Coal Creek Canyon area. As of Monday, Sept. 16, at 12:30 p.m. road closures include: Interstate 70 eastbound off-ramp to Quebec Street; U.S. 40 at Floyd Hill (MP 269.5 to 270.5); SH 44 (104th Avenue) between Brighton Road and McKay Road; SH 72 (Indiana Street) between 72nd Avenue and 80th Avenue; and SH 72 between SH 93 and SH 119 in Coal Creek Canyon

Arvada

The flood waters impacted Arvada on several fronts, according to Wendy Forbes, communications manager with Arvada. She said the city has not yet been able to get a complete and accurate account of the damage, due to the still high water levels. She said some roads what will need

Heavy rain and damaged roads continued to close multiple portions of the Coal Creek Canyon area.The nearby Blue Mountain Road above remained one of the few roads open in the area Sunday night. Photo by Glenn Wallace some repairs. Alkire Street was reopened after being closed, but both Quaker and Indiana will remain closed until repairs can be made. “One good thing about this is how many of the city projects — little ones here and there — really helped to lessen the damage and really paid off for the community,” she said. “The Ralston Central Park Project that also just finished was a huge help.”

Cheryl Keydel, owner of an alpaca ranch on Indiana Street near 78th Avenue, had to relocate 60 alpacas to a friend’s house and to higher ground at the property late last week. “I was just shocked that there was that much water that fast,” Keydel said. City officials measured close to a foot

Jeffco engineers have pieced together the Western Beltway in increments for the past 45 years. As the project circles back to the west, developers had an open house on Sept. 10 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds, showcasing the history and progression of the transportation project, and inviting public feedback on possible funding options for the remaining segments. Although the segments are still in the planning phase, the four portions left to discuss, STATUS ON CORRIDOR design, and conTHE C-470 Corridor Costruct are the Inalition Policy Committee terlocken Loop; unanimously approved a the Jefferson Parktolled express lane option way; Highway 93 during improvements to the northern to the 13-mile stretch of limits of Golden the highway between and its continuInterstate 25 and Kipling ation to U.S. 6 in Street. Finalizing the Golden. design, calculating costs Open house and pursuing funding visitors got a opportunities are some chance to weigh of the next steps that in on potential will be taken by the funding options committee. like increased property tax, sales tax, and license plate fees. One option that received the most votes was funding through tolling, with increased license plate fees coming in a close second, and a tolled managed lane in third. “It’s going to happen,” Rex Davis of unincorporated Jeffco said about the WestConnect project. “The thing we can only do is ensure it happens in a good manner,” with little impact on residents.” An agreement was made earlier this year between CDOT and the city of Golden to relocate Highway 93 to the west so its alignment is consistent with Golden’s desire to maintain current speed limits, develop structures to help mitigate noise, and provide opportunities for pedestrian crossing. As the city and county continue to work together, there is still one more issue facing Golden: The impact a toll funded highway will have on Golden’s city streets. Traffic in the city could increase should commuters decide to use “side streets” as a way to avoid toll costs. “Implementation of any tolling option, all-toll or managed lanes, can have several positive and negative aspects,” Kevin French transportation and engineering

Flooded continues on Page 20 Study continues on Page 20

POSTAL ADDRESS

GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)

OFFICE: 110 N. Rubey Dr, Unit 120, Golden, CO 80403 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 110 N. Rubey Dr., Ste. 120, Golden, CO 80403. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Golden Transcript, 110 N. Rubey Dr., Unit 120, Golden, CO 80403 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Fri.11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 5 p.m.

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