On Feb. 3, 2016, The Chamber Transportation committee heard updates from Jerome Estes, CDOT Project Director about the C-470 expansion, and from Steve Cook, DRCOG MPO Planning Program Manager about transportation planning for the region.

A few highlights from each  presentation:

C-470 Express Lanes:

• Generally, one tolled express lane in each direction on C-470 between I-25 and Wadsworth
• Specifically, two westbound tolled express lanes from I-25 to Colorado and eastbound tolled express lane from Wadsworth to west of Platte is an Additional Requested Element
• Auxiliary lanes in required locations
• Safety and operational improvements between I-25 and Quebec
• Improvements to ramps including direct-connect ramps at I-25 and C-470
• Water-quality features and noise barriers
• ITS elements and tolling equipment
• Bike/ Pedestrian Trail Grade Separations at Quebec and Colorado (Possibly Yosemite)

DRCOG Transportation Planning Update:

Regional Growth – by 2040

• 1.2 million more people will live in the Denver region
• Vehicle miles traveled will increase by about 32%
• Severely congested roads will double
• Age 60+ population share will go from 18% to 25%

Transportation Topics

• New Federal FAST Act – transportation bill
• Safety – traffic fatalities on the rise
• Increase in bicycle and pedestrian use
• Connections to transit stations
• Aerotropolis