Athmar Park

Valley Highway Redesign EIS Upate. (Problems for Athmar Park?)

May 17, 2004

The Valley Highway-Logan to 6th Avenue Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process continues to move forward. At community meetings held on January 22nd and 28th, CDOT presented three redesign alternatives (survivors from a
field of 20+ alternatives being considered last year). Here are some of thehighlights that may be of interest:

- I-25/Alameda Interchange: Two of three alternatives involve a grade separation where Alameda and Santa Fe/Kalamath intersect. The third alternative leaves the intersections as
they are today. All the alternatives address the current bottleneck created by four traffic signals in as many blocks. Pedestrian and bike safety crossings are all greatly improved.

- Railroad Crossing at Santa Fe and Kalamath:
All three alternatives move traffic on Santa Fe and Kalamath under the railroad tracks via a new grade separation. This new grade separation will
relieve congestion on Alameda and Santa Fe/Kalamath as traffic will no longer back up when trains cross. The new grade separation will result in less noise pollution as trains will no longer have to blow their horns at those RR crossings.

- I-25/Santa Fe Interchange: All three alternatives for this interchange include building a third-level ramp for northbound Santa Fe to northbound I-25 (similar to the three levels
at US 6 and I-25). The ramp will be approximately 30 ft higher than I-25 is today at Santa Fe and approximately 60 ft higher than this ramp is today. CDOT has created a noise model that estimates noise impacts associated with the new ramp and future traffic. This generally shows that noise levels fall within the FHWA guidelines for a structure of this type. APNA is concerned that moving the source of traffic noise this high, this close to residences could have an adverse affect on the amount of noise residents experience on their property. CDOT has committed to continue the dialogue.

- Bike & Pedestrian crossings: Significant improvements have been proposed with respect to bike and pedestrian access across the highway, including extra wide 10 ft sidewalks (similar to the new Washington St. bridge) and a new bike and ped bridge at Bayaud (at approx. 1ST Ave.) over the South Platte and I-25.

- Impacts to Existing Businesses: In Alternative 1, 15-20 businesses will need to be relocated. In
Alternatives 2 & 3, 30-35 businesses and 3-9 residences would need to be relocated. CDOT is meeting with all affected parties.

If you would like further information or to view these alternatives in detail, please visit www.valleyhighway.com .

The EIS team is producing a Draft EIS document that will be available in early fall 2004 for public review and comment. A public hearing will follow soon after this document comes out. This is a great next opportunity to review the alternatives and voice your opinion!