RTD maintenance on N Line

Neighbors warned of noise from work along tracks

LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

RTD’s tracks on the N Line from Union Station to Eastlake - 124th Station may get a little noisy due to planned maintenance work.

According to a news release from RTD, work was set to begin April 16 and continue from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sundays through Fridays for one month. e transit district is beginning a program to resurface commuter rail track e work is part of RTD’s overall maintenance program. e resurfacing corrects rail alignment for smoother rides and protects safety. It also extends the life of the rail system. “ e resurfacing program will go through various locations with homes nearby. While the machines

“Running multiple trains across the lines throughout the service day inevitably leads to shifting and settling of the ballast, the rocks under the rail, beneath the tracks,” the news release reads.

Correction

A sentence in an April 20 story regarding Northglenn and a state land use plan left out a word in a quote by Professor Carrie Makarewicz.

will be noisy, the work is not expected to take more than two days in each location. Resurfacing work through stations is planned to take place outside of service hours or when customers are not present. e work is expected to be complete in mid-May, weather permitting,” the news release reads.

e correct statement is “...roughly 80% of residentialland in the metro area is zoned for single-family homes.”

Northglenn to vote on e-bikes, e-scooter regulations

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Northglenn city sta will bring city council regulations to vote on for e-bikes and e-scooters. e item was presented at the April 17 study session meeting. According to Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Amanda

Peterson, e-bikes are currently allowed on public roadways, can be used on anyone and there are no regulations on whether or not they are allowed on trails.

E-scooters are allowed on public roadways, cannot be operated by minors, can’t be shared use

Emmons noted that funding roadways was part of their strategic plan. She’d like to see what the city has and what the city should cut to fully fund their strategic plan.

Pavement quality

Right now, the city’s Pavement Quality Index rests at 54.1, Hu ord said. at’s up from the low rating of 51.1 in 2022 but down from 2019, when it was 65.6. Factors that go into the index include surface distress, thickness, structural integrity and smoothness.

At the same time, the price per ton of asphalt has increased by 17% in 2022, he said. is year, Hu ord said the price is looking to increase by 10-15%.

Mikeal Parlow, Policy & Budget Coordinator, said that in ationary pressures and the increased workload needed to maintain the roadways have created a gap in needed funding. Westminsters federal ARPA funding will help in 2023 but there will be a $7 million shortfall in 2024.

If the city keeps funding at the same rate — about $8 million per year — Hu ord expects the pavement quality index number to drop to about 33.7 by 2032.

Fee increase

One solution would be to increase the roadway improvement fee by $1 per dwelling unit, from $6 per month to $7, Parlow said.

Councilors should also discuss commercial contributions to the fee to close the funding gap, he said.

Parlow said that commercial operations and businesses in Westminster also pay the $6 fee and councilors could increase the fee based on how the business’ use impacts the roads.

City Councilor Bruce Baker said putting a range on commercial operations would be “mind-boggling,” noting the di erence between a King Soopers and a mom-and-pop store.

City Councilor Sarah Nurmela said she would be in favor of putting the fee on commercial operations and cited the number of trucks that they bring into the city.

“ at’s what’s putting the wear and tear on the roads,” said City Councilor Rich Seymour, in agreement with Nurmela.

Mayor Pro Tem David DeMott said he isn’t opposed to a fee increase, but would also like to look at di erent options. He would like to look at putting fees on commercial operations.

“Commercial certainly brings people outside of the city who are making wear and tear on our streets,” DeMott said.

He said the limiting factor during the last discussions around increasing the rate was sta ng. He asked if the city increased the fee by more than $1, if there would be enough for sta to handle.

Parlow said yes.

DeMott said residents want good streets and he doesn’t think that a $2 increase would bring them “heartburn.”

He also asked about new technology, such as recycled materials and how it can impact climate. Hu ord said everything put on the city’s roadway contains at least 25% recycled material.