Walnut Hills

20090914 Arapahoe Rd. Corridor / I-25 Underpass Presentation

IGA for Arapahoe I-25 EA Proposal Presented to City Council

Bryan Weimer, Arapahoe County Project Manager, (720-874-6521, bweimer@co.arapahoe.co.us) presented on September 14, 2009 an overview of the IGA (Inter Governmental Agreement) Arapahoe Road Corridor Environmental Assessment (EA) proposal I-25 Underpass Project to the City of Centennial Council.

The proposal requests the participation and funding ($116,000) by the City in joint participation with Greenwood Village, Arapahoe County, and other governmental agencies to perform an environmental Assessment of proposed alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion in the Arapahoe Road / I-25 interchange.


E. Costilla Ave I-25 Underpass to S. Yosemite St. Proposed

Recall that this study involves the rework of Arapahoe Road and the it's associated I-25 interchange in order to relive traffic congestion, and (most importantly for the surrounding neighborhoods) advocates the construction of an underpass under I-25 south of Arapahoe Road which would extend East Costilla Ave from East of I-25 to South Yosemite St West of I-25.

In addition to expanding the number of traffic lanes at the Arapahoe Road I-25 interchange from four (4) to six (6), Mr. Weimer's presentation also advocated the extension of East Costilla Avenue (East of I-25) to South Yosemite Street (West of I-25), which would involve the construction of an underpass tunnel under South I-25 Highway in which would traffic would exit somewhere on South Yosemite Street.

The final location of where the East Costilla Ave would intersect South Yosemite Street has yet to be finalized, Mr Weimer's proposal depicted the entrance location to be just North of the Safeway building.

Other locations for the entrance have been describe in flyers distributed by Centennial Neighbors (info@centennialneighbors.org) on September 5, 2009 which depict East Costilla Avenue connecting instead to South Alton Way. South Alton Way is a North-South crescent-shaped road that is East of South Yosemite Street and connects to South Yosemite Street in two locations: North and inline with East Briarwood Blvd, and South and inline with South Xanthia Street.

It is unknown if the South Alton Way alternative is being seriously considered, but Mr. Weimer did note in his presentation that the Environmental Assessment study is required by law to evaluate any alternatives presented by any party.

It is noted that since the proposed entrance location (North of the Safeway building) would require de-construction of the Southeast corner of the building that is North of the Safeway building, and since that building's owner has already retained legal representation (who also spoke to the City Council), it is expected that many business interests will plead their cases to the City Council. There are similar concerns within the business community about the possible demolition of hotels which might be in the way of the extension of East Costilla Avenue on the East side of I-25.

Walnut Hills residents living on East Briarwood Blvd and East Davies Ave. expressed their concern to City Council members that the construction and orientation of such an underpass would result in increased cut-thru traffic on these two East-West streets.

Local Residents Expressed Their Non-Support for I-25 Underpass

An overflow crowd of local residents (estimate at 75-100 people) attended Mr. Wwimer's presentation and voiced their concern about the likely increase in traffic, noise, and pollution on South Yosemite Street, as well as the increased cut-thru traffic within the neighborhood.

The majority of residents speaking to the City of Centennial Council voiced their support for the City's participation in the Environmental Assessment (EA), but presented strong opinions against any proposed road and underpass configurations that would increase traffic on South Yosemite Street or within the Walnut Hills / Hunter Hills neighborhood.

Email: WalnutHills.CommunityNeighbors@gmail.com

Links

• Proposal for New Grade Seperation Underpass - News Release (http://www.centennialcolorado.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=1641)

• Monday September 14, 2009 Study Session Agenda (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=187&doctype=AGENDA)

• Monday September 14, 2009 Study Session Staff Report (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/cache/2/kjjuuf55fjh4ia55a1tjcm45/1191109152009081434150.PDF)

• Monday September 14, 2009 EA Scope of Work (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/cache/2/kjjuuf55fjh4ia55a1tjcm45/1191209152009081529463.PDF)