Discussion on other

[robert...@hotmail.com]

I-70 is a constraint. It is not easy, cheap, or quick to increase the
capacity of the constraint, so the Theory of Constraints suggests that
you try to get more out of it. This could be accomplished by getting
people to use it when it has available capacity: weekdays. How?
Drastically reduced lift tickets might get people to use vacation days
to ski during the week. Ski area operators would benefit too: they
would only need to be convinced that filling empty chairs would
maximize their bottom line; even a break-even might be enough based on
the good vibes and publicity.

[captain...@gmail.com]

We already have a rail line going to Winter Park from Union Station.
Why don't we use that and the existing rail lines to Steamboat and
Glenwood Springs to offload that traffic from I70 immediately?
Multiple trains could leave at different times of the day to spread
the load on both sites.

[pa...@managedbenefits.net]

Going uphill semi trucks are basically moving roadblocks. Remove semi
trucks Saturday & Sunday 6-10 am westbound and 1-5 pm eastbound
between Downeyville and Vail or use your cameras to charge them your
fee (more than $12) for driving during these hours. Everything you
need is aleady in place at the tunnel, the chain up in Vail and the
Downieville truck check station. 2) Incease traffic enforcement- A
LOT. Its basically a free-for-all. I"m not taling about tickets for
going 70 but there are many going 85 close to 90 - weaving in or out
and following too close. The ripple effect causes traffic to start and
stop all along the route-or accidents. About the only way to get
them to slow down is more police. People dont blow down Vail pass
because there's usually a cop there. Same thing in town (Vail)-
sometimes they just park an empty cruiser on the median - but it does
its job. A constant 65 - 70 would get everyone there faster. More
enforcement gets bad drivers off the road, more money for roads..

[Jeffrey...@gmail.com]

Simply enforcing the "Keep right except to pass" law would do wonders
to alleviate traffic problems. Will they be completely solved? No,
but enforcing the law is something that should already be happening.

[Brandon Marette]

What about leaving the existing lanes, but building lanes ON TOP of
the existing lanes???

That way there will always be one roadway that won't get snow on it,
since it's virtually underground.

You can make the bottom lanes all westbound and the top lanes all
eastbound, or vice versa. Or else you can leave the existing lanes
the way they are, plus an additional 2-4 lanes each on top (or on
bottom) that can be "express lanes".

[leigha...@gmail.com]

Why not change the work week around so the entire population doesn't
have to share the same two days a week.

I also whole heartedly agree with upholding the law that already
exists as was mentioned in the afore posting...KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO
PASS!!!!!!!!!

[Justus]

Living in Europe, here are some solutions used in Germany that could
work here:
1) Heated sections of road prone to icing over.
2) Increase speed limits. People will drive the speed they are
comfortable at, not 120mph like the gov't fears.
3) No speed traps to slow traffic, instead have mobile squad cars
enforcing the existing "pass on the left" law.
4) Semi trucks must stay in the right lane, always.

[s...@allseasonfunds.com]

Big thanks to Chris for at least taking a stab a this issue and its a
big one. I would argue with what seems like an obvious economic
solution of "incentive driving" with various fees based on use, type
of vehicle (Friedman), etc. This is not rush hour traffic going into
a city where people have a choice of driving in an hour or two before
or after "peak" hours. Most can only ski on weekends and most will
not compromise their already short day of skiing to avoid a fee.
Neither do skiers have a lot of (any) reasonable alternate routes into
summit county to avoid the toll lane that I-70 would become. The
incentive driving options that I've read on this forum are a tax on a
driver that has no options. If you want to incent someone to change
behavior than they must have reasonable alternatives to effect that
change. Buses are silly, they are bad as a semi in terms of causing
traffic congestion, they are terrible polluters and no one but people
from Ohio like to ride on buses :-) Carpooling" Highway expansion?
Pleeeeeesse don't waste our time. Time tested failures. But, thou
shall not oppose but propose, so here are a few crumbs for
consideration:

1. A train is the most obvious solution but of course quite costly.
Most European ski areas figured this out a long time ago. It is the
right thing to do but should have been thought of in the 20's when the
ski areas were first built. Trains can run in the high season, they
are economically efficient to run, they are not phased by weather,
they can move a ton of people quickly and they are environmentally
friendly. This is the solution and everyone knows it so let's get
busy with the cost issue. Who should pay? not the tax payers of
Colorado. Here comes your use tax. Ski area owners and operators who
benefit obscenely from the growth in resort properties and Colorado
skiers should pay a disproportionately large piece of the expense
(current and future). If they think they can pass on the costs to
their patrons, they have that option. HOAs for the various condos
should be increased to help pay the cost as well just as many are
doing for pine beetle abatement now. Remember only a fraction of
Colorado residents ski and therefore this is not about state
economics, this is about skier and ski resort economics. The issue is
really not one for the state and Chris if you're thinking about
floating a bond issue IT WILL FAIL. Yes I am a rabid skier and
writing from the Zephyr in Winter Park so I will eat my own dog food.

2. Go with the lane reversal program for peak hours for now. Do be
silly, it can't be all lanes in one direction for any amount of time
but we can get 3 and 1. This is a bandaid while we build the train.

3. Redirecting commercial traffic during peak hours is also obvious
and shouldn't be a big issue in terms of communication. But what
about the trucks delivering Sashimi to Vail? Stop it, they can afford
to fly it in.

And that's it 1-2-3 :-)

Keep up the conversation cause if it ain't solved soon, there will be
one less car on I-70 - MINE as I move to another mountain state
without all the traffic brain damage.

[Chris]

No single solution is going to make things better in I-70. There has
to be a comprehensive solution that includes various aspects of the
proposals. My suggestion would include the following... Congestion
charging for vehicles on the road during peak congestion hours, an
expansion of US 285, US 40 and CO 119 and some better infrastructure
put in-place to route traffic more effectively to these alternate
routes from I-70. Finally, some form of mass transit needs to be a
part of the plan. I like trains, but recognize they could be cost
prohibitive.

[madiso...@gmail.com]

Let's mandate that several ski resorts be built along the I-70
corridor EAST of the Denver area, thus reducing the amount of traffic
going west.

[wilburpm...@hotmail.com]

Restrict trucks from driving during heavy traffic times - they are
slow both up and down the hills and are the starting point of the
problem. Next, during heavy traffic times, do not allow people to
change lanes - this is the secondary problem which really causes the
problems - drivers who do not merge reasonably into the passing lane
cause drivers in the passing line to hit their brakes, causing a chain
reaction. This would eliminate tailgaiting - why ride somebodies
bumper if you know you will be behind them for a while and also know
that nobody is going to cut in front of you. Obviously, to enter and
leave the highway, one must be able to switchy lanes; cameras (even
if only monitored occasionally) and SERIOUS fines and or loss of
license for people found to be violating the law would make people
think twice before attempting to change lanes other than to enter or
exit the highway.

[bbudde...@earthlink.net]

1. Ski resorts, Colorado employers, and school districts cooperate in
such a way that we can have a few more mid-week days available.
2. The pickin's are slim, but look for any opportunity to open
off-1-70 ski areas. Hwy 285 would be fabulous, but the terrain
doesn't look like it's any good.

[MichaelDou...@gmail.com]

I propose a westbound toll at or near the Eisenhower Tunnel. The
funds gathered from the toll would then be used to build a light rail
line between Denver and Beaver Creek with stops at each major town and
resort along the way.

This way, you make the people who are causing the traffic congestion
help pay for a better solution. Some will hate it, but they won't
have a choice. Others, like me, will know that paying the toll is
helping come up with a longer term solution to the horrendous traffic
problems on I-70.

[mountai...@ureach.com]

I-70 should be tolled for all traffic from C-470 to Dotsero. The road
should not be expanded much more than it is now. C-Dot could continue
to maintain the road with existing general funds. All toll proceeds
would go toward a first-class mountain transit authority that utilizes
buses (free to the public) and beautification of the view sheds of
I-70 (ie: beetle kill and traction sand destruction).

[damon...@comcast.net]

Mining companies are defacing the mountains in many places along the
front range, at the I-70 and US-6 intersection they have been mining
for decades. Why can't these companies be influenced to mine places
where new roads and rail lines can be built? I know it would take a
long time but then there is no "cone zone" along I-70 where the road
should be widened.

Rock slides are a major concern along I-70 and always will be,
especially with construction. Many places such as Idaho Springs and
above Georgetown won't be able to offer more land for road widening or
we'll loose historic buildings that have been there since before I-70
was built. Look at how much chaos there was when large casino's were
built in Black Hawak and Central City. Also, look at the nice road
that was built for the casino's and paid for by the casino's, it was
built really quickly. Unfortuantely taxes will be raised to offset the
cost and going to the mountains is already expensive enough.

Let's consider 285, another road that probably won't be widened any
quicker than I-70 although if there were multiple highways built by
mining companies then we could have many roads decreasing congestion.
The front range spreads from Wyoming to Pueblo more or less. We are
going to need more arteries going into the mountains as the population
grows. I-70 has reached it's capacity. Build new roads to the north
and south of I-70. Make them so directional lane changes are more
accommodating during peak hours.

I also like the limitation of semi's but there are still going to be
busses carrying skiiers and they go as slow as many semi's. How about
moving vans, campers, snow mobile trailers, RV's, ect. We can't tell
them to sit and wait, everyone has a right to drive because we all pay
taxes, especially the semi's, they pay the most since they wear the
road out the quickest due to weight. Besides, traffic is worse in the
summer months minus the bad winter road conditions.

Incentives to ski during the week might work but don't you think
people do it when they can, and not all of our friends can go the same
day. How about the ski areas stay open later once day light savings
ends in the spring, this would spread out traffic...maybe.

How about construction during the week along I-70, or closures at
night?

I know it is a wild idea but let the mining companies work with CDOT
crews and build new roads from Co.Springs, Castle Rock, Longmont, and
Ft Collins. They can get the major obstaciles moved such as mountains
and fill in the valleys so heavy machinery can move in and bore
tunnels where necessary. Once this is done, rails for new trains can
be built at some point in the future since that is how most advanced
cities travel. Then the roads can be paved in a fashion that allows
directional changes for when traffic gets bad again.

Someone once told me that when I-70 was built they were amazed that
rail lines were not included and it is obvious that the developers
didn't allow for lane expansion. People also complain about the cost
to go skiing. Remember when season passes were $800-1000 in the 80's
and 90's before pass wars?

I have a suggestion, move to Grand Junction, there is hardly any
traffic heading east in the morning and west in the afternoon.

[sparkynum1]

Why not make the ski resorts absorb the cost of a result? They are
the ones that are reeping the rewards of the congestion. Their prices
go up yearly but yet they aren't responsible for the congestion they
are causing by their expansions.

[lysand...@hotmail.com]

A couple of ways to start reducing I-70 congestion that could be
implemented quickly.

1. Start another 'Ski Train'. Intrawest should be encouraged to
operate a second Ski Train to Winter Park. This train could carry
1000 people from the Front Range. The train(s) could operate from
Fort Collins and Colorado Springs with stops along the route. Meeting
in the Denver Area to be coupled together for the trip into the
mountain.

2. Get 'Greyhound' or other bus companies to offer direct service from
DIA to major ski destinations. I have attempted to use existing
service but it's limited to service from downtown to Frisco or Vail.
This would help the out of state visitor.

3. Ban Tractor Trailers during the peak hours. Move petroleum
shipments to the rails by working with the railroads to build bulk
terminals at a number of mountain locations.

4. Work with the Ski Resorts to establish weekend bus service from
Front Range locations (Existing RTD parking lots).

I think most of the I-70 congestion comes from the Front Range
drivers. Many years ago I was one of them. Every morning that I went
skiing, I would be in traffic with a bunch of other locals driving up
to the tunnel. Traffic isn't bad 80-90% of non-peak hours. Out of
state visitors will avoid peak traffic hours whenever possible. They
tend to make one trip 'up' I-70 and one trip 'down' during a visit.
Most visitors come in 'groups' in each vehicle. Many local's vehicles
have only one or two people in them. Encourage ride sharing, more
busses, and train.

[rkymt...@aol.com]

It is good to see someone else already mentioned trucks as not only do
they dramatically slow down traffic but their slow pace is a hazard to
all drivers. During the peak times if any vehicle cannot maintain a
speed of at least 50 mph on the steepest grades it should not be
allowed to drive between Evergreen and Vail. Of course the big
challenge is enforcement. I am sure others have thoughts in this
area.

[pinge...@hearingcenter.com]

One inexpensive way to increase access to the western slopes would be
to keep Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain Park open in the winter.
The cost of extra manpower and snowplows has got to be cheaper than
any road project on I-70. Traveling north on I-25 and then west on Hwy
66 through Estes Park would take awhile, but it is a pretty route and
there are no trucks through the park.

[Gasm...@gmail.com]

Teach the flatlander immigrants to drive in the snow! All these
flatlanders drive either way too slow or way too fast creating
dangerous driving conditions. When you move here from Texas or
California, you should be required to take a snow driving course in
order to have access to our highways. That big shiny SUV with new
tires isnt gonna help you stop on an ice patch!

[rust...@gmail.com]

How about every single one of you people move back to California,
Texas, Wisconsin, or wherever you're originally from. That will solve
the traffic problems.

[rocmthi]

Chris, thanks for opening this up for ideas. We need to build a toll
road from Boulder to Winter Park in a similar location as the Ski
Train. We need to have alternatives to get off I-70 to play in our
wonderful mountains. This option would become the highway to access
Winter Park, Grand Lake, Steamboat, and all of that north of I-70 back
country. It's a mess to add all of the traffic from Highway 40
(Berthoud Pass) right on to I-70. Hwy 40 and I-70 is the bottleneck.
If I-70 is moving it stops at Hwy 40 because we're adding double the
traffic to I-70 without any extra lanes. We need to move that traffic
away from I-70. Building a new toll road would be accepted since it's
new however making I-70 a toll road would not be accepted period!
Remember, it's not all about the ski traffic. Summers are full of
people wanting to go fishing, hiking, camping, hunting mountain
biking, ..... Rail will not work for the summer sports. I don't
think I need to tell you why carpooling won't in the summer. Face it,
people are going to drive. We have more campers in this state than
most all states. Focus on a new highway that will pay for itself away
from I-70 and tone down the expansion costs for I-70. I'm a Colorado
(Littleton) Native and would be happy to serve on a committee that
would be interested in this idea.

[mjb...@yahoo.com]

Why not divert or limit east bound traffic on I70 from 8-10am on Sat &
Sun mornings; route it through Black Hawk to Golden through that
stretch of highway. Then reverse the diversion from 4-6pm on Sat &
Sun.
Traffic is so light in the opposite directions at those hours it
would'nt create undue pressure on alternate routes. The illuminated
signs along I70 could remind drivers of the diversions.
I've seen traffic restrictions in other cities at peak demand times
and everyone does OK once they get used to it.

[marty...@comcast.net]

I would agree completely that the Resorts and the communities around
the resorts need to contribute. However, this IS a Colorado issue,
not just a tourist issue. Hence, the Use Tax applies to the Resorts,
Mountain Communities, and those that live in Colorado. This is a year
round issue, not just Peak Season. Summer weekends are just as bad,
and holidays are even worse. Once a train is in place (and there does
need to be one), the communities at each stop will be required to
provide local transportation (buses, rental cars, etc.) within their
local. There is no doubt this will be a considerable expense for the
Resorts and Communities, but the rest will be funded from taxation
(Use, Tolls) and Bond Issues.

How do you think the Moffit Tunnel was cut? A Bond Issue! If you
don't like funding projects that allow you to enjoy you skiing, go
elsewhere. However, every single state in the US has Bond Issues that
fund projects, so I wish you luck in finding nirvana.

You clearly live in the Denver Metro area, and as such have used the
I70 corridor. I commend you for using the Ski Train, but if you are
going to stay overnight or longer than a single day, how do you get
around the Fraser Valley? You don't! The local buses will work for
main lines, but will not help those that are outside of the immediate
service area. Grand County doesn't want a tunnel, and they have made
that know through their ballots. However, they want the front range
skiers and tourists.

[The Aviator]

First, having seen how "demand traffic patterning" works in places
like Kauai, moving traffic across to "low demand" sides of the
Interstate is, at best, a stop gap that will eventually cause more
problems than it initially solves. So with that, I'd suggest that
it's not a solution by any means. I also agree with the premise that
any long-term fix will take a long time to implement, specifically
rail or other alternate cross-land service. For now the best land-
based mechanism for relieving these problems over the short term
appears to be bussing.

Also short term, however, is the use of general aviation. Many of the
mountain airports are underutilized, there are new pilots coming into
the industry every day thanks to the push for more airline pilots, and
relative to the cost of bussing and highway maintenance this could be
applied with relative fiscal ease.

By the way, Mr. Romer, I may be no longer teaching thanks to certain
pressures in the system, but I'd still work for the underdog and am
getting my own pilot's license and instructor's license. This would
give many a career alternative away from the CDL.

Good luck with this project.

[thew...@comcast.net]

Whatever the solution, it will be expensive. To raise funds, I
suggest that all resorts add a fee to daily lift tickets and possibly
even season passes. According to USA Today, in the 2005-06 season,
Colorado resorts had 12.53 million skiier visits. Even with a small
fee of $5 per ticket, that could raise approximately 70 million per
season! Obviously, the resorts not serviced by I-70 may not want to
participate, but even if this number was cut in half, it is
substantial.

No tolls, please.

Kindly keep the semi trucks and slower drivers to the right.

Increase the speed limit.

Let those who enjoy it help make it better.... I know I will!

[Sara]

One slow-down is caused by everyone who tries to shortcut the traffic
by exiting the highway, using the frontage road and merging back on
near the bottom of Floyd Hill. Could we restrict usage of that
frontage road during peak traffic times to local only? Businesses may
offer vouchers for frontage road use, which could be used if a citizen
is pulled over to prove they have been visiting a local business.
Limiting use of the frontage road would streamline traffic flow and
reduce buildup caused by the additional merging. This is just a short-
term streamlining idea, not a long-term solution.

[SmallTownLife]

Blast it closed at floyd hill and let us live our lifes the way we
used to.

[alir...@gmail.com]

Hi, I think that it might be an idea to stagger the opening/closing
times of the ski resorts. I realise that ski resorts may be concerned
about loss of profit and/or competition but if all the resorts stayed
open for the same amount of time but staggered their opening/closing
hours by even 30mins to 1hr this might make the traffic situation a
bit easier as the cars would not be leaving all at the same time. This
is the most sensible idea I can think of at this time, hope it helps
in some way.

[youngr...@gmail.com]

The problem is the drivers. What hapened to ticketing for going to
slow in the left lane? What about using a lane from the other side of
the tunnel during heavy traffic periods? It seems like the highway
patrol is only interested in revenue generating activities (i.e.
speeding tickets). Why don't they take an active role in traffic
management. How about re-painting the lanes for starters. Maybe if
people were abole to see better they wouldn't drive like idiots.

[Sara]

One slow-down area is caused by the electronic sign above the highway
before Georgetown. Everyone slows down to read the sign, which usually
has two messages that switch every so-many seconds. Why not choose our
words more carefully! Instead of having two messages that switch every
so-many seconds, choose words such that only one message is
permanently displayed. People are slowing down so they can read
everything the sign says. There's too much to read in too little time.
Display only the essentials. Additionally, turn the sign completely
off when there is no urgent news. That way drivers are not distracted
by nonessential material. This obviously is very short-term, but is a
no-cost immediate way to streamline existing traffic.

[mattm...@msn.com]

The best idea would be to raise gasoline taxes and use EVERY PENNY of
the increase to improve public transportation, not just along I-70 but
wherever it exists in Colorado. This solution, although not
convenient, would discourage driving. Increased money to public
transportation would make it more efficient, more viable, and more
attractive to use.

[bmye...@aol.com]

There is nothing "green" about skiing and the housing industry. With
lift ticket pricing cheaper than ever does one wonder where they make
the money? Building for the future has to include mass transport but
do all of us have to pay for this public private partnership that
really only benefits economically the skiing and property interests.

In the interim, toll booths that collect monies and meter the flow
during peak hours with the goal of carpooling and collecting enough
money to pay for the mass transit. Ten dollars for a full vehicle up
to fourty for a single driver and restrict trucks during that period.

[dk54]

It seems a lot of people use side roads that parallel I-70 during peak
traffic hours. I've often wondered if there isn't some way to
integrate these side roads into the normal traffic flow for I-70. If
we could do this, and perhaps add lanes to I-70 where there would
still bottlenecks, we could improve the overall traffic flow. Maybe it
would help to increase the capacity of the side roads too. They could
be made into one-way roads during peak traffic times.

[fas...@bresnan.net]

One simple fix we need moer money so CDOT can move the snow off the
road. Talk with theTow Truck drivers, the CME van drivers etc they
can tell you the road is not being service becasue the state does not
give the funds needed. Plows and drivers ! Hire some North Dakots
farmers -- Vail Resorts has them do snow grooming-- for the winter.
Put a man camp at Vail Pass and at the tunnel so the crew can get
right on it and move the snow off the road. We need a Surge and the
boys in Denver can't see it.

[j.mart...@gmail.com]

There is only one low cost solution to this problem. I've been skiing
in Colorado and driving on I-70 for 20+ years, and everyone I know
agrees what the real problem and solution is. And that's trucks and
RVs mixing in with cars on Saturday and Sunday during critical ski
traffic hours. The solution is to do what's done in Europe: ban semi-
trucks, RVs, anything over 7,000 lbs -- that can't hold 70 mph up a 6%
grade from the road during those critical times. A single large RV or
semi-truck can force a huge slowdown as traffic is essentially forced
into a single lane for miles. Multiple trucks make it much worse. All
skiers know about this effect. Of course the trucking lobby will fight
this. Work a deal:
1. Set up a trucker's education program for a year.
2. Set up expanded truck stops at C-470 & I-70 and in Frisco for truck
drivers to pull over and rest. Make some money at those truck stops
while at it. Use the revenue to cut trucker taxes if they stay off
the road during those critical times or face a big ticket. Watch how
fast they get a clue.
3. In a short time, truckers and large RVs will learn that mixing in
with impatient, fast moving ski traffic in cars and SUVs was never a
good idea to begin with.
4. Colorado can actually make some money at the truck stops and better
manage traffic.
5. Write an operations research simulation in Simscript. I believe it
will prove that a just a few big trucks on I-70 during those critical
hours cuts the throughput and average speed substantially.
6. There should be fewer accidents and road rage as drivers can all go
70 in both lanes. Accidents happen when drivers jockey for position to
avoid getting stuck behind a truck.
7. The truckers union and RV drivers won't like it, but something's
gotta give, and no other option both makes money, improves safety and
solves the congestion problem without raising taxes, billion dollar
boondoggle trains that no one will use or inconveniencing and/or
punishing skiers.

[dk54]

I agree!! I have had the same thought myself. I would charge semis a
lot more than $12 if they were caught.

On Feb 22, 7:49 am, pa...@managedbenefits.net wrote:
> Going uphill semi trucks are basically moving roadblocks. Remove semi
> trucks Saturday & Sunday 6-10 am westbound and 1-5 pm eastbound
> between Downeyville and Vail or use your cameras to charge them your
> fee (more than $12) for driving during these hours.  Everything you
> need is aleady in place at the tunnel, the chain up in Vail and the
> Downieville truck check station. 2) Incease traffic enforcement- A
> LOT.  Its basically a free-for-all.  I"m not taling about tickets for
> going 70 but there are many going 85 close to 90 - weaving in or out
> and following too close. The ripple effect causes traffic to start and
> stop all along the route-or accidents.   About the only way to get
> them to slow down is more police. People dont blow down Vail pass
> because there's usually a cop there.  Same thing in town (Vail)-
> sometimes they just park an empty cruiser on the median - but it does
> its job.  A constant 65 - 70 would get everyone there faster.  More
> enforcement gets bad drivers off the road, more money for roads..

[danhu...@comcast.net]

I agree that the trucks and RV's are a big part of the problem.
Please remember that some of the busiest days are actually in the
summer. We all need to expand our thinking - why is I-70 so
crowded?...because it is the most direct east-west road. Maybe if
there were other significant east-west corridors it would ease traffic
congestion on I-70 and provide badly needed economic development to
other areas of the state.

[john.m...@comcast.net]

One of the easiest and quickest solutions would be to ban the double
tractor trailer trucks that always get stuck on the passes when it
snows whenever chain laws are in effect. Anyone who drives I 70 when
it snows sees that these double trailers always get stuck going up to
the tunnel and Vail Pass and need to be towed. They often block the
right lane. A couple weeks ago, I counted 19 of these double trailers
that were stuck or being towed on one trip to Vail. Since this is a
safety weather issue, it would avoid the issue of banning all trucks
at certain times (just like the I 25 ban on empty trailers during high
wind). The double trucks could just leave one trailer behind. This
wouldn't solve the problem, but would be a big help on snowy days.

If it could be done, the weekend Semi ban would be a major help. So
would some enforcement on use of the passing lane.

[jeff.v...@comcast.net]

We need an alternative to I-70...
Highway 285 is it...
Improve County Road 60, including tunneling under Webster Pass and
connect Grant to Montezuma...
This avoids the windy part of Hwy 285 on the West side of Kenosha
Pass...

[moniqu...@gmail.com]

There are quite a few excellent suggestions here, so I'll only add the
ones I haven't heard.

1. More frequent and more detailed communication to drivers on traffic
congestion.
The signs on the highway that say "Vail 2.5 hours" are a good start,
but we really need mulitple kiosks and signs placed throughout the ski
resorts and on ramps that articulate WHERE the traffic is, HOW LONG
the backup is and HOW LIKELY it is to get cleared up (i.e. a jack
knifed tractor trailer or a closed pass is different than mere
congestion backups.)

A private company or the community/city/merchant associations could
then provide alternative dining or activity options for those who
choose to wait. [Especially the lesser expensive options. I ski Vail
frequently, but the dinners to wait out the traffic are horrid from a
price standpoint. I would love to find out about alternative (perhaps
not "in" Vail) options.]

[paula...@gmail.com]

You can't ban the truckers. They are vital to our way of living. But
they do cause a lot of problems.

However, why can't you just establish black-out times when they need
not be making the journey. For example 6am-10am Saturday & Sunday and
3pm - 6pm Sat/Sun.

[skifas...@yahoo.com]

The I-70 problem is easy to fix without trains, buses, monorails, road
widening, and Colorado saves $10 billion also. The PROBLEM is the SKI
AREAS and their $300 season passes. Start charging 1996 prices for
ski passes and 60% of those cars won't be on I-70 on the weekends.
Problem solved. Hey, I've enjoyed the $300 passes as much as anyone.
Will I get a ski pass if the prices go up? Nope, but that is too bad.
The ski areas have got to start thinking quality instead of quantity.
This will also cut the weekend lift lines down. Also, keep right
except to pass, and increase the speed limit. I'm ready for the flak
you are about to launch at me. Send it.

[lanntheman]

The funneling effect of most of the front range squeezing onto one
road when going west is the simplest description of the problem. There
are other routes into the mountains but they do not have the capacity
of I-70. Trains and buses along the same route would be a larger
funnel but still a funnel. Long term more large capacity roads into
the mountains are needed. Hwy 285 being enlarged from Denver to near
Fairplay then north along Hwy 9 would be a second major route to the
other side of the divide and disperse some of the congestion.

[Happy2Drive]

I don't think there is a problem. The traffic is not that bad. If I
have to sit in a jam for a while, I don't mind. After all, I'm out
there to relax, and getting a chance to slow down and enjoy the view
is more relaxing than driving 65 the whole way.

[Pete]

I would propose a plan that is INFORMATION driven rather than ECONOMIC
driven. The plan I have in mind is simpler and leverages current
technology already used by CDOT.

The idea is to communicate I-70 traffic information more timely and
effectively to the weekend skiers. My theory is, that if people know
of an undesirable traffic situation, they will alter their drive
schedule or take alternate routes.

CDOT current has an establish network of information signs on the
highway. They also have equipment that monitors average highway speeds
at key congestion locations. Currently we can get this information via
web sites. However, this is not quite effective, as people are
required to have web access, which is not always convenient on the
road.

My proposal is to leverage cell phone text messaging. This has been
done with transportation providers such as United Airlines to convey
flight status and Port Authority of New York/New Jersey to communicate
mass transit delays. Colorado can use the same technology to notify
subscribers of the location of traffic snarls and accidents.

I think this paln will cost less money, be easier to administer and
can be implemented in a shorter period of time.

Peter Wayne
Boulder,CO

[loissta...@aol.com]

How about instead of discriminating against skiers using the road we
reserve the left lane during peak times for people with ski passes.
Like a toll lane. You can put your ski pass on your windshield like
the other toll roads in the area and boom you are at the ski area long
before all the people who plan to shop at the Silverthorne Factory
stores and hang out in the lodge all day get there.

[kwe...@p2es.com]

There are some good suggestions here (one-way traffic, restrictions on
trucks, bus service) that I think would be beneficial. An issue to
keep in mind: I drive up nearly every weekend with a total of 2 to 4
people in my car. I use 3 gallons of gas in each direction. So it
costs me less than $10 each way (ignoring depreciation on the car
which most people do) or $5 to $10 round trip for each person.
Whatever solution is used will have to factor in how inexpensive
driving is. I would love to have a bus or train drive me up to the
mountains, but I'm not willing to spend $100 for my family of 4 (if
bus or train tickets are $25 roundtrip) when I can drive for $20
roundtrip.

[Mark]

Variable speed limits can be a good way to reduce the number of
vehicles entering a congested area, making it easier for vehicles in
the congested area to enter and exit the highway, and speeding up the
flow of traffic in the congested area. An example of this is the
stretch of I-70 eastbound from Empire Junction (I-70/US40 interchange
near Georgetown) to the Twin Tunnels. Traffic will move at or above
the speed limit from the Eisenhower Tunnel to just above Georgetown,
but when enough traffic returning from Winter Park on US 40 tries to
merge onto I-70 eastbound, travel speeds slow to a crawl and stay that
way until east of the Twin Tunnels. Reducing the speed limit on I-70
and US40 west of Empire Junction would reduce the number of cars
entering the slow, crowded area between Empire Junction and the Twin
Tunnels in a given amount of time, keeping traffic volume in that area
to a level that could flow smoothly and safely. Variable speed limits
could be implemented with the electronic speed limit signs that are
starting to appear along I-70 from Summit County to Denver.
Enforcement would be simple, just have two CSP cars travel side by
side at the stated speed limit on I-70. One CSP car would probably be
enough for US40.

I-70 would be a much safer place to travel at any time with a strictly
enforced "keep right except to pass, no passing on the right" law. The
German "pass on the left" law is very well written, with clearly
defined exceptions for heavy, slow traffic and heavy penalties for
passing on the right and for blocking the left lane. Strictly
enforced, realistic minimum speeds for the center and left lanes on
steep climbs would help too.

Lower speed limits for trucks, buses and other oversize vehicles would
probably reduce the number of accidents involving these vehicles.
Banning heavy trucks during peak travel hours would make traffic flow
faster, too.

Chain laws for trucks should continue to be strictly enforced. It
might be a good idea to start requiring chains on the trailer wheels
of big trucks as well as on the drive wheels, to prevent jackknifing.
The smarter truck drivers are already doing this. It might also be a
good idea to start requiring passenger cars and SUVs to use chains or
adequate snow tires. California does this and everybody complains
about having to chain up, but chaining up is a lot less annoying than
getting stuck in snow or wrecking your car.

[tohe...@yahoo.com]

I would like to suggest that the ski areas have a day pass that begins
when you take your first run and ends 24 hours later. Then a skier
could start skiing any time of day, say drive up at noon, begin skiing
at 1:00, spend the night and finish skiing the next morning, returning
to Denver early afternoon. The only added cost to this idea is that
the ski areas would need to re-programing their check-in equipment.
The benefit is that a skier can get a full day use on their ticket,
the traffic and lift lines crowds would be spread out, the ski areas
and towns have increased lodging and restaurant income. I believe
that a significant number of people would appreciate this option.

[msmit...@gmail.com]

Ok, so my suggestion may sound nuts and not possible, but it is worth
a try. Ok so here it is. We were thinking that we should build an
alpine slide up to the ski resort. I know that they are supposed to go
down hill but we were thinking....that there could be a pretty high
speed conveyer belt taking people up the mountain on the belt. But we
realized that people would be freezing cold going up the mountain. So
u could have a plastic covering,covering you up. There could also be
heaters inside. I know that this idea sounds INSANE! But you never
know.........it could happen :)

[btl...@hotmail.com]

Reverse a lane during peak periods to accommodate more traffic, and
make that one lane a toll/HOV lane, every day, all day. This seems to
work on other highways in Colorado. This is not just a ski traffic
problem. I-70 is backed up every weekend regardless of the time of
year.

[cats...@aol.com]

HOV lanes work very well on all highways all the time. So if only
skiers can use I-70 during "peak" times, I will be fined for going to
Silverthorn to pick up my granddaughter after a court order visit to
her father as there will only be 2 people in the car. If I chose to
go to the cabin for the week end, same scenerio, only 2 people in the
car. Do not punish the truckers or non -skiers. Remember we too spend
money in other venues that are no ski related.

[ric...@findmeapetsitter.com]

An immediate solution (but not permanent) would be to require slow
moving trucks, trailers, and RVs longer than 25 feet to stay in the
far right lane during peak hours and not allowed to pass in the left
lanes. This inexpensive, immediate solution, only requires new
signage and maybe flashing signals during peak hours to warn trucks,
trailers, rvs to stay in the far right lane. Violators would be
ticketed if caught in the left lanes during those peak hours.

[LadyJesse52]

Recycle...@yahoo.com
Why not just have one lane only Restricted for semi trucks only and
because they move so slow up hill there should only be a lane just
for them only?

[graysond...@msn.com]

I believe big trucks are the major cause of the slowdowns. Trucks
passing trucks slow everything. Cars racing up behind slow trucks then
cutting left to pass are the next slowdown causers. People afraid
(often justifiably) to pass trucks are another major slowdown cause. I
suggest that on Sat. & Sun. no truck travel from Mt. Vernon to Vail
from 5 AM until 8 PM. Prices for goods they deliver may have to rise,
but money on gas will be saved. If a truck doesn't have a stop in CO.
make it take I80 in Wyo, or pay a fee. Lastly, trucks passing trucks
at slow speeds (55 mph?) get a ticket. Slow trucks cause frustration
and aggressive driving by impatient car travelers. Then accidents
occur. In this way trucks are a hazard to us all despite the goods
they deliver, and the best intentions of their drivers.

[co]

It's not just ski season. Try Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day or just
about any Sunday in the summer and it's bumper to bumper from the
tunnel to town. The terrain prohibits any reasonably priced fix.
There's a reason so few roadways to the mountains have been built
since 1859. And user taxes, wherever levied, will just add to the
mountains becoming an exclusive enclave of the well to do. For now,
patience is our best tool.

[milehigh...@gmail.com]

I drive I-70 twice a week, I go up to the Vail area on Friday to work
up there, and I come back on Sunday or sometimes EARLY Monday morning
if traffic is THAT bad.

The Toll idea sounds illegal. This is an interstate that was built
and paid for with public money and tax money at that. Why should we
have to pay again? I believe you can only have a toll road if there
is an alternative route within certain distance.

My best suggestion would be to have a ski ticket tax. I think many
resorts in California have this already. Charge $3-$4 per ski
ticket. That money would go to helping pay for I-70 expansion. For
those that buy a season pass, a certain % of that pass price should be
charged a fee, say 3%-4%. (just tossing out numbers).

Or you can do a 1% tax on all ski/snowboard related sales. All
tickets, rentals, on mountain food, etc. I think you need to NOT tax
fuel for it will only hurt the station up there that already have high
fuel prices because of transport costs.

Something similar to what the city of Denver did to fund Coors Field
and Invesco.

On top of that, once money is received, a train/light rail system
would be part of the answer. Expanding to even 4 lanes in each
direction would not do a lot. It will probably be 10 years before ANY
project would be complete. Historically and statistically, if you
give people more traffic lanes they will just use them. You will see
people riding side by side in all 3-4 lanes. Colorado has a "keep
right to except to pass" law, but it is NEVER enforced.

Problems with the train is that it will not reduce trucker traffic. I
am in prohibiting trucks on the road during peak times, but I am not
sure how legal that would be. If nothing else ALL trucks (based on
G.V.W) should be prohibited from the far left lane at ALL times. One
semi going 35 passing the other semi going 30, really puts a hurt on
traffic.
Fines for truckers who refuse to chain up should be DRASTICALLY
increased (more than they were this past year). Jail time, or at
least making them wait for 24 hours for failure to obey laws.

[khbr...@gmail.com]

Two thoughts, I drive the road 50-75 times a year from Steamboat to
Denver and it strikes me that we are not using the existing
infrastructure efficiently
1)Consider limiting truck traffic to one outside lane, especially
during the busy times. This is very common in europe and trucks
understand that they are moving slower than the majority of traffic.
Perhaps allow them specific passing zones.
2)The State Patrol recommended two years ago to enforce an existing
law "KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS". Pay for the signs and enforce the
law. You would be amazed how often there are two or three times as
many cars in the fast lane, driving the same speed as the slower lanes.

[milehigh...@gmail.com]

I agree with you trucks in the right lane, but heating is not feasible
and doesn't accomplish much, and increasing speed limits won't do much
either. Just more accidents. Speed is not the problem, too many
people in one are is the problem


On Feb 22, 2:45 pm, Justus <yoth...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Living in Europe, here are some solutions used in Germany that could
> work here:
> 1) Heated sections of road prone to icing over.
> 2) Increase speed limits. People will drive the speed they are
> comfortable at, not 120mph like the gov't fears.
> 3) No speed traps to slow traffic, instead have mobile squad cars
> enforcing the existing "pass on the left" law.
> 4) Semi trucks must stay in the right lane, always.

[milehigh...@gmail.com]

A toll for this road would be illegal there are no other feasible
options.



On Feb 22, 6:33 pm, mountainesta...@ureach.com wrote:
> I-70 should be tolled for all traffic from C-470 to Dotsero. The road
> should not be expanded much more than it is now. C-Dot could continue
> to maintain the road with existing general funds. All toll proceeds
> would go toward a first-class mountain transit authority that utilizes
> buses (free to the public) and beautification of the view sheds of
> I-70 (ie: beetle kill and traction sand destruction).

[LadyJesse52]

On Feb 22, 8:39 am, captainmitch...@gmail.com wrote:
> We already have a rail line going to Winter Park from Union Station.
> Why don't we use that and the existing rail lines to Steamboat and
> Glenwood Springs to offload that traffic from I70 immediately?
> Multiple trains could leave at different times of the day to spread
> the load on both sites.



Recycle...@yahoo.com
Yes we have this rail line that passes through Kremmling and goes
right through Steamboat Springs, yet that Ski Train only goes to
Winter Park and I have wondered why does this Ski Train not make
stops in Granby for Silver Creek? And then to Steamboat Springs?
It makes no sense to me to waste this train on only Winter Park and
Winter Park only, when this train could carry skiiers all the way to
Silver Creek and Steamboat Springs? even Vail and Aspen as well this
train passes right through Glenwood Springs as well, I have lived in
Colorado all my life and the train tracks pass right through this town
of Kremmling on the way to Steamboat Springs, just makes more
sense financially to use the Ski Train for another purpose and seems
stupid for people have to drive to Steamboat?

[spick...@aol.com]

Here's how it needs to be done. First, we need to restrict the amount
of semi-trucks allowed on the I-70 corridor on the weekend or simply
not allow any at all (send non-necessity commercial traffic north to
I-80). California passed a similar law and since traffic has
drastically improved. Secondly (in conjunction with my first idea),
drivers need to be educated on the difference between the right lane
(slow lane) and the left lane (PASS lane). Seemingly, its really
difficult for Colorado drivers to understand this concept, I guess.
These two ideas go hand in hand. Passing semi-trucks for some people
is a major problem and believe it or not, can cause horrible back-ups
for miles. Its true! All it takes is one person (who is scared of
driving windy roads) hitting their brakes eradically to cause major
delays. Domino effect. Third and finally, if you have a rear wheel
drive car, chain laws should be enforced for your car. If you choose
to not obey, there should be fines imposed. We are talking about
driving in mountains, one should have a car that is fully capable of
driving in adverse conditions. A toll is stupid and will only
infuriate drivers (me) more. What happened with the Mono-rail? Boy,
that was a terrible idea (sarcasm). Signed, an avid free-heeler who
already pays too much money to shred.

[milehigh...@gmail.com]

So your solution would be to FORCE ski areas to raise their prices, to
the point that they price themselves out of competition? Do you know
how much of our economy is dependent on skiing? Utah would love us
for that.

[rkuc...@gmail.com]

I just want to make sure that motorbikes will be allowed to use the
proposed HOV lanes - we're already doing what we can to alleviate the
congestion.

[milehigh...@gmail.com]

Is this a joke?


On Feb 22, 3:18 pm, madison.me...@gmail.com wrote:
> Let's mandate that several ski resorts be built along the I-70
> corridor EAST of the Denver area, thus reducing the amount of traffic
> going west.

[heyl...@rockmedia.com]

How about this...

You create "assigned" weekends based on the COUNTY.

In other words, you have all registered businesses - and schools - in
the county have different "weekends".

For example:
Jefferson County works (and school days are) 5 days a week: TUES-SAT
Denver County works (and schools) WED-SUN
Adams County etc etc etc...

The only "cost" would be for the businesses that aren't "in sync" with
the rest of the nation.

So maybe - instead of spending zillions on the actualy roadway - you
pay "incentives" to companies that are willing to adjust thier
"weekend" to anything but SAT and SUN.

It would be cheaper than anything else - and better (?) for the entire
community.

[clkj...@att.net]

My idea is to get the ski resorts to offer some incentives to stagger
the traffic by offering a "three session" ski schedule, with an
appropriate lift ticket price. For example, split the day into three
ski sessions, early morning (7:30 to 10:30), mid day (10:30 to 1:30),
and afternoon (1:30 to 4:30). Many skiers only ski 2 to 3 hours but
end up having to pay for a full day lift ticket. A reduced lift
ticket price may be attractive enough for some skiers to alter the way
they schedule their day of skiing. A solution that may help with
traffic, parking, as well as lift lines.

[St...@resortmeetingsource.com]

The distance from Breckenridge to Denver is almost the exact same
whether you take I-70 or US 285, so why not improve Hoosier Pass to
provide an effective alternative? On weekends, it might even make
sense for cars coming along I-70 from further west to turn off at
Frisco and use US 285 if I-70 is a parking lot (as it usually is).

As for I-70, how about restricting trucks to the right lane (as they
do through Glenwood Canyon) during peak periods, and possibly
improving the shoulders on the uphill stretches to allow trucks to
drive on the right shoulder during peak periods as well? This allows
the trucks to continue to use the highway, but prevents the blockages
caused by one truck trying to pass another, when the passing truck can
only go about 3mph faster than the other.

Also--if we were actually to enforce the "slower traffic keep right"
laws (as they do on the autobahns in Germany), it would do wonders to
alleviate congestion. The left lane is supposed to be a passing lane,
but Coloradoans seem intent on clogging up the left lane no matter how
fast or slow they are driving. Enforce the laws requiring slower
traffic to pull over into the right lane if they are blocking faster
traffic (and on the 2 lane roads like US 285 and Hwy 9 over Hoosier
Pass, require slower traffic to use turnouts).

[sldfkd]

Are you kidding me?!!! Did you know that 70% of America goes to
church on Sunday? The entire world is based on the 7-day week, with
Saturday and Sunday off! This would probably cost more than a lot of
the other options, when it came down to actually implementing it.
Besides, I highly doubt that it's legal.

No, there's only three long term solutions:
1.) Build a Maglev train. If it could be proven that it would
eventually pay for itself, this is definately the best option. If it
can't pay for itself, forget it.
2.) Build two reversible toll lanes on I-70. The toll lanes would be
exactly like those in Denver on I-25, except that there would be
manned toll booths (along with express tolls).
3.) Make 285 a full blown freeway, with tunnels under French Pass (You
can see the gully using Google terrain maps) and the Tenmile range,
somewhere near Breckenridge, and then connecting back to I-70 near
Copper. Billions of dollars, but worth it.

[Greg]

The most obvious and simple, albeit relatively short-term, solution to
the I-70 mess is to get rid of the trucks. That is, restrict all
large vehicles (say, longer than 19 feet) from traveling on I-70
between Vail and Idaho Springs, Westbound Saturdays 6:00am-11:00am,
and Eastbound Sundays 2:00pm-7:00pm. Even if we as taxpayers
reimbursed truckers for their lost time, the cost would be minimal
compared to most other ideas. However, I am also strongly in favor of
a long-term solution involving mass transit--presumably zero-emission
high-speed trains along--perhaps constructed above--the I-70 corridor,
combined with efficient transportation to/from the ski areas/mountain
towns, possibly light-rail connections to Breck, Keystone, even
Steamboat or Winter Park (Copper, Vail. and Beaver Creek are
essentially ON the I-70 corridor already.

But, really, eliminating the over-size and slow-moving vehicles that
currently push current traffic loads over road capacity at "rush
hours" (Summer as well as Winter) would buy us another 5-10 years of
breathing and planning room.

[mull...@lpbroadband.net]

totally agree they do this in europe and it works. Trucks stop friday
at 8pm and resume 10pm sunday. Get the ski resorts to kick in for
parking structures and shuttle buses (free) to there resorts. It would
save me 20 bucks a week

[skiyak]

The one thing that can be done right now that will have the biggest
impact would be to prohibit ALL I-70 semitruck traffic westbound from
Friday 5PM to Saturday noon and eastbound from Saturday noon to Sunday
midnight. Do it year round.

This could be done next week, it would be free (except lost taxes from
those re-routing to I-80) and very effective. Cross country loads
should be hauled on rails anyway...

[kenneth...@msn.com]

The private railroad can't take all the cars that would want to be
hauled.
Trucks are a necessary evil in today's commerce.
Astronomically priced rail/monorail is a questionable idea in that
terrain and with our less than dense population.

So, tax rental cars to resorts, encourage shuttles, make commuter air
available.
Don't cut further into the ability of we in the masses to make our few
trips out of town.
Highway workers already have been priced out of most of the mountains,
so that is part of the plowing problem.
Tunnels through the spine of the Rockies and under Vail would work,
except I won't live long enough to see them.
The only solution that already exists is:
There are already airports that could take tourist traffic from the
road--not everyone needs to land in Denver and drive.

[flashsas...@yahoo.com]

I agree with the no trucks on weekends. I lived in Europe for 7 years
and the no trucks on Sunday rule was great! Even though I have skied
and been a ski instructor in other states, I do not ski more than once
or twice a year because of the traffic on I70. I would ski a lot more
if not for the traffic. I do however race trail ultramarathons and
have to use I70 to get there on weekends usually only in the summer
when the traffic is not quite as bad (but it is getting worse). A few
weeks ago I had to drive I70 back from a race in Moab and got stuck
coming up to Eisenhower. Traffic was stopped completely, I am
guessing to let a truck through with hazardous materials, which should
absolutely NEVER happen on a weekend. I saw at least 2 accidents from
people just trying to not roll back as they stopped and started on the
icy road at 5 mph, causing more pileups. Then the trucks start merging
over and it pushes all of the cars into 1 lane, slower still. With
all of the trucks in the right late EVERYONE is forced into one lane,
no matter what speed you are comfortable at. Even slowing traffic more
is the trucks passing one another and then the broken down trucks with
flames coming off his brakes (which I have seen). Every week you hear
of the every popular jackknifed truck blocking traffic for hours,
spilling contents everywhere. Not to mention the the trucks are scary
when they are careening down off Eisenhower in a snowstorm. I am sure
they do not enjoy driving in that much traffic either and would be
happy to have the day off.