DENVER | Transportation Thread

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

Ok, so they widened the I-25 bridge, but didn't change the configuration of the bridge below, got it. Still seems silly they didn't just take care of that issue when they did TREX.

Well the improvements they made did help at the time. I can recall driving east on Arapahoe Road and you got to pick which side of the pillars you wanted to drive on, LOL. Partly, south of Orchard wasn't built out as much on the west side and on the east side it was lower density and mostly residential except along the freeway. I lived off Orchard Road for a number of years south of Cherry Creek HS.

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by mr1138

(watch the Boulder NIMBYs' heads explode on that one... one lady recently said at a public meeting that the 5-story buildings at Boulder Junction make her cry when she looks at them).

Boulder is like the west highlands.


I met 3 city council members on Election Day last year and told them how important I think it is that boulder encouraged density.


One of them laughed in my face (seriously)

The second one ignored me

The third council member did listen to me and hear me out......

[mr1138]

The politics in Boulder are actually far from as clear-cut as I once thought. As an open minded, college-town environment, there are actually quite a few new urbanist type thinkers in town - and the development community and landowners are practically foaming at the mouth to build more density in many places. But, as in most places, the YIMBY's rarely show up to public meetings or speak their minds passionately on the issue. The opposition, on the other hand, lead by the group PLAN Boulder is extremely vocal and has essentially controlled planning policy in Boulder dating back to the greenbelt of the 70s (back when that was actually an extremely progressive idea).

Control of council, as best as I can tell, sorta goes back and forth between people of differing mindsets. The area of town around the 29th street mall (officially called the "Boulder Valley Regional Center") and the Boulder Junction area are actually zoned for higher densities than downtown Boulder in the long term. These area land use plans and zoning codes were pushed through by previous councils at points in time when more of the pro-density people were around. Boulder Junction, in particular, was a major loss for the PLAN Boulder folks, and now that they see it getting built they are PISSED. They would like to stop it retroactively, but council is pretty clear at the moment that they aren't going to revisit that area, as the area plan is less than 10 years old and was passed with plenty of public process.

I can't entirely tell what the current balance is, they have good poker faces, but they seem to be fairly reasonable as a whole at the time being (an all-out moratorium on development was loudly shot down by most of the council last fall, and the council member who brought it up chastised for the message it would send the business community).

[TakeFive]

Well this is rather bold.

City of Phoenix is getting ready to to ask for a $30.5 billion sales tax increase in August primarily for the purpose of building light rail but it would include other transportation needs like streetscaping. Voters will be asked to approve a 0.73 cent sales tax that would run until 2050. Actually it's only a 0.33 cent increase as 0.40 is already being collected but would be extended from 2020 til 2050.

If you prorate for the difference in population size (43%) that would be equivalent to $13 billion for Denver. Of course Denver is already paying a 0.40 cent tax for Fastracks so if you just add 0.33 cents that might be closer to $10 billion. So what would Denver do with $10 billion?

[PLANSIT]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Well this is rather bold.

City of Phoenix is getting ready to to ask for a $30.5 billion sales tax increase in August primarily for the purpose of building light rail but it would include other transportation needs like streetscaping. Voters will be asked to approve a 0.73 cent sales tax that would run until 2050. Actually it's only a 0.33 cent increase as 0.40 is already being collected but would be extended from 2020 til 2050.

If you prorate for the difference in population size (43%) that would be equivalent to $13 billion for Denver. Of course Denver is already paying a 0.40 cent tax for Fastracks so if you just add 0.33 cents that might be closer to $10 billion. So what would Denver do with $10 billion?

It would probably be enough to build out:

Denver Moves - Bikes
Denver Moves - Pedestrians (whatever is ultimately recommended)
Denver Moves - Transit (whatever is ultimately recommended)

- plus have money left over to pave most streets and streetscape many more.

[Scottk]

TakeFive, I always enjoy your posts on this forum, but I am wondering why you take such an interest in Denver if you live in phoenix?

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Scottk

TakeFive, I always enjoy your posts on this forum, but I am wondering why you take such an interest in Denver if you live in phoenix?

While my son is in Phoenix, my heart is in Denver. Lived in Denver/metro over 30 years.

[Scottk]

I-70 Snow Tires law clears first hurdle


http://www.9news.com/story/news/politics...731/?utm_source=9NEWS&utm_medium=twitter


"Accident data obtained from CDOT shows passenger vehicle accidents now make up a larger share of closure time on I-70 in the winter than commercial vehicle accidents."

See, Seventwenty, I told you this would help in the winter months

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by Scottk

I-70 Snow Tires law clears first hurdle


http://www.9news.com/story/news/politics...731/?utm_source=9NEWS&utm_medium=twitter


"Accident data obtained from CDOT shows passenger vehicle accidents now make up a larger share of closure time on I-70 in the winter than commercial vehicle accidents."

See, Seventwenty, I told you this would help in the winter months

Great, but even with the impending law, I'm still skeptical about significantly reducing transportation delays. Days like today are just a mess even without accidents. Snow plus weekend ski traffic means I-70's screwed no matter how much tread people have on their tires. Still I support the bill on public safety grounds.

[The Dirt]

How exactly will this be enforced?

[Denver Dweller]

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/mornin...mA+ElKTwGoSbqOBYu5F/O7W7Amf&t=1425052703

[Cirrus]

Ski Train!

Originally Posted by Denver Post

Tickets sell out for train from downtown Denver to slopes

All 400 tickets were sold within 12 hours for a one-day, roundtrip ski-train excursion from downtown Denver to Winter Park.

The response helps build the case for resuming regular train service.

But Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari added that a number of questions would have to be answered first, including how often service would run, how much it would cost and whether enough rail cars would be available.

The Colorado Department of Transportation "would definitely welcome alternative ways for people to travel to the mountain corridor," agency spokeswoman Amy Ford said."

A private train used the same Winter Park station, now owned by Denver's Regional Transportation District, from 1940, when the resort opened, until 2009. Insurance and other costs doomed that regular service.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by PLANSIT

It would probably be enough to build out:

Denver Moves - Bikes
Denver Moves - Pedestrians (whatever is ultimately recommended)
Denver Moves - Transit (whatever is ultimately recommended)

- plus have money left over to pave most streets and streetscape many more.

*I'd want some Streetcar miles, like Broadway to Quebec on Cclfax with grade separated intersection at Monaco; possibly up Broadway extending into RiNo.

* Like to see a limited access boulevard starting near Holly along Leetsdale/Parker Road.

* Like to see use of BRT style buses. Examples: So Federal, Sheridan, Alameda, University, E. Hampden, Peoria St north from Smith Rd.

* Like to see circulator style buses in central neighborhoods.

That would be a good start!

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Denver Dweller

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/mornin...mA+ElKTwGoSbqOBYu5F/O7W7Amf&t=1425052703

Ahh, the joy of P3 transportation. Yes Fred, there's a price for private participation.

[PLANSIT]

I'll try this thread...

Originally Posted by PLANSIT

Anyone remember in what plan there was a little language/map of a 17th St. Subway (bus)?

I think it was from the 70s/80s/maybe 90s.

[TakeFive]

So Tony: What do you think of Fastracks?



Apparently Tony doesn't care for Fastracks.

[TakeFive]

I think it's natural to take things for granted and forget how "lucky" the Denver region is

I just picked up an update on the All Aboard Florida project from ENR Southeast. I had previously read about the project's Orlando - I-4 route construction in the Orlando Business Journal. This is about the "220-mile-long passenger rail line between Orlando and Miami." It's hard to compare as this is more of a regional commuter train. But consider from a big picture perspective that Florida has not quite four times the population as Colorado.

Last year, as widely reported, citizens groups along Florida's "Treasure Coast" voiced considerable, and loud, protests over the planned $2.3-billion All Aboard Florida (AAF) project, a 220-mile-long passenger rail line between Orlando and Miami. Back then, a main objection was over All Aboard Florida's plans at the time to utilize a $1.5-billion federal loan to help fund the project

They've since dropped the federal loan idea but this is priceless:

K.C. Traylor, the founder of one of those groups, Florida Not All Aboard, asserted the project would likely default on the federal loan when she told ENR: "Our concern is that doesn't turn into a Solyndra on rails."

Now there's a talking point that may never die. No mention of the fact that solar funding from the ARRA turned green or profitable in 2014 of course. Admittedly there was skepticism among greentech people over Solyndra and I'd say the loan should never have been made or at least not at the size it was. Hindsight of course.

In any event Denver Metro has had little in the way of political opposition or acrimony - so far. It's also why I believe it's important to find funding for needed road improvements - to make sure it stays that way.

[Brainpathology]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I think it's natural to take things for granted and forget how "lucky" the Denver region is

I just picked up an update on the All Aboard Florida project from ENR Southeast. I had previously read about the project's Orlando - I-4 route construction in the Orlando Business Journal. This is about the "220-mile-long passenger rail line between Orlando and Miami." It's hard to compare as this is more of a regional commuter train. But consider from a big picture perspective that Florida has not quite four times the population as Colorado.

They've since dropped the federal loan idea but this is priceless:

Now there's a talking point that may never die. No mention of the fact that solar funding from the ARRA turned green or profitable in 2014 of course. Admittedly there was skepticism among greentech people over Solyndra and I'd say the loan should never have been made or at least not at the size it was. Hindsight of course.

In any event Denver Metro has had little in the way of political opposition or acrimony - so far. It's also why I believe it's important to find funding for needed road improvements - to make sure it stays that way.

We have a superman style villain here as our governor. I wouldn't be surprised if he and his friends are behind the "citizen groups" coming out against the new rail projects. Gov. Scott almost single handedly (since lets face it - in Florida a single person doing any work at all outnumbers everyone else on the other side of any issue) rejected the high speed rail project from Orlando to Tampa. Who knows if it would have actually been done.. but it was nixed REAL quick right when he got onto the scene.

[Scottk]

I can't help but think many of these republican states would be more in favor of the high speed rail lines if the idea hadn't come from our evil Kenyan, Muslim, America hating president.

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by The Dirt

How exactly will this be enforced?

The article indicates that there will not be any fixed checkpoints. If someone causes an accident / gets pulled over and has bad tires the police will write tickets with hefty fines. Seems like a good first step to me. I know I-70 will still be a clusterfuck, but this might help a little during bad weather. So many accidents are caused by cars without 4WD and proper tires.