T-REX Debuts New Belleview Avenue On-Ramp/CDOT Releases Railroad Relocation Study/Crucial Interchange Completed in Monument

Belleview On-Ramp Opens

Transportation Expansion project crews opened the new Belleview Avenue on-ramp to northbound I-25 in late May.

The new flyover on-ramp was designed to eliminate the existing traffic weave between motorists entering northbound I-25 from Belleview and those exiting northbound I-25 to northbound I-225.

As crews continue reconstruction of both northbound I-25 and I-225 lanes, the left lane drop at Belleview Avenue will remain in place.

CDOT, Trinidad Share STAR Award

The Colorado Department of Transportation's Region 2 was honored this spring at the Governor's State Top Achievement Recognition Awards program with the Creativity Award for its Circle of Partnerships program, designed to foster cooperation between the city of Trinidad and CDOT for the Interstate 25 Bridge Reconstruction Project.

The program is meant to encourage local small businesses to become either DBE or ESB certified to bid on contracts for bridge construction. It also included extensive outreach efforts to local contractors, retail businesses, motels/hotels and restaurants to market their services for a long-term project.

CDOT's winning team was led by Mary Dugan, Bernetta Collins, Joe Garcia, Judith Lamb, Doug Lollar and Debra Gallegos. Team members include Clyde Nash, Trinidad State Junior College; Charles Griego and Shirley Donachy, Colorado Workforce Center; Meghan Harris Russell, Department of Economic Development; Donna Watkins, Small Business Development Center; Kim Pacheco, Trinidad Las Animas Chamber of Commerce; and Linda Wilson and Ed Romero, public relations consultants for the project.

Results of Railroad Study Released

CDOT released in early summer the findings of its study examining the benefits and costs of improving certain railroad facilities and relocating through-freight trains to new facilities east of the Front Range.

The findings indicate the public would receive a number of measurable benefits should the railroad relocation project move forward. They include improved air quality from the relocation and reduced traffic congestion; reduced noise and vibration resulting in increased property values and improved quality of life; and reduction in train-vehicle accidents and travel delays from less time spent at railroad crossings.

The study also identified public and private benefits related to the redevelopment of railroad yards and the construction of rail-related facilities east of the Front Range, such as the creation of new jobs, economic development opportunities, reduced energy usage and the ability to move more Colorado coal to out-of-state markets.

The overall response to the proposed project was positive - 89 percent of respondents believed the net effect of the project would be positive. The most frequently cited benefits were economic development, reduced traffic congestion and the ability to more easily implement passenger rail services. The most cited concern was grade crossing safety on the eastern plains.

The estimated cost to construct the project is $1.2 billion while the direct and indirect benefits of the project are estimated at $4.2 billion. In each scenario, the study concludes that Colorado residents accrue more than sufficient benefits to warrant consideration of the investment of public dollars in the proposed relocation project.

I-25/S.H. 105 Interchange Completed in Monument

CDOT and Lawrence Construction announced the on-time completion of the $27 million Interstate 25/State Highway 105 interchange project in late May, which began in fall 2002.

Project goals included upgrading the original interchange to current federal design standards while improving safety and increasing mobility through the Monument communities. CDOT also replaced the original park-and-ride, which accommodated only 75 vehicles, with a new facility that provides parking for 250 vehicles, separate entrances for transit and passenger vehicles, expanded handicap parking and bus shelters.

Completion of the SH 105 interchange project marks a major milestone for CDOT - it was the last of the I-25 Safety Improvement Projects in the Pikes Peak region.