Posts tagged cyclists
Boulder OSMP to Open Lower Chapman Drive Trail
0January 5, 2013
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) will open the new Chapman Drive Trail and Trailhead to the public on Jan. 7, 2013. This trail is an extension of the current Chapman Drive Trail that begins at Realization Point on Flagstaff Drive. Visitors will be able to travel from Boulder Canyon Drive (SH 119) at the Red Lion Inn all the way to Flagstaff Drive.
The new trail was made possible by the recent purchase of the Schnell property. The 2005 Visitor Master Plan proposed the use of Chapman Drive as a multi-use trail and the new section was included in the recent West Trail Study Area Plan. There is a small trailhead with parking at the northern end of the trail along SH 119.
The new segment of Chapman RD. trail is behind the Red Lion Inn
“At this time, we are opening the trail to pedestrians, equestrians, telemark skiers and snow shoers,” said Annie McFarland, OSMP Visitor Access Coordinator. “Bikes will also be allowed, going uphill only. Cyclists not able to complete the 2.5 mile ride uphill, must dismount and walk bicycles downhill if they wish to return to the trailhead at SH 119. Cyclists completing the trail have the option of riding down Flagstaff Drive to Canyon back to the trailhead.”
All users must remain on the trail and no dogs are permitted north of the Tenderfoot Trail intersection.
Throughout January OSMP will meet with key stakeholder groups and interested parties to seek feedback on how best to manage visitor use – in particular bike and dog access on the lower part of Chapman Drive. OSMP will conduct an analysis of each alternative and then develop a matrix of possible management options. The department will host a mid-February open house for public feedback. Individuals may also submit comments regarding visitor use by email. Go to www.osmp.org and click on ‘Contact us’ on the bottom right of the home page. In your email, specify ‘Chapman Drive Trail’.
More information including a map of the area can be found at: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2996&Itemid=1035
For additional trail updates on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org.
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Fifth annual Lighten Up Boulder safety campaign offers discounts for bike lights
0September 28, 2012
As fall sets in and the days get shorter, the City of Boulder, Community Cycles, the University of Colorado (CU) and local businesses are teaming up for the fifth annual Lighten Up Boulder safety campaign to encourage the use of bike lights for nighttime riding. The campaign offers 10 to 20 percent discounts on select bike light accessories at participating Boulder businesses.
Bike light coupons can be printed from the GOBoulder.net website or picked up during business hours at the following locations:
- the GO Boulder office at 1739 Broadway, second floor,
- the Community Cycles shop at 2805 Wilderness Place, Suite 1000; or
- the CU Bike Station on campus at the University Memorial Center (UMC).
The coupons can be redeemed at any of the eight different retailers listed on the coupon and are valid through Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012.
The campaign also reminds cyclists that biking at night without proper lighting is both illegal and unsafe. Without bike lights, cyclists cannot see what’s ahead and drivers cannot see cyclists. The Boulder Revised Code requires all cyclists traveling between sunset and sunrise to equip their bikes with both a mounted white light on the front and a red reflector on the back (B.R.C. 7-5-11: Bicycle Headlight and Reflector Required).
“Riding your bike at night without adequate lighting can result in dangerous situations for you and others, as well as a $50 fine,” said Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Planner Marni Ratzel. “We hope that this campaign will encourage more cyclists to mount lights on their bikes, making nighttime travel in Boulder safer for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.”
For access to bike light coupons, bike maps and safety tips, visit www.goboulder.net.
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Boulder to test green bike-lanes
0September 13, 2012
Cyclists and motorists traveling north along Folsom Street will notice something new at the intersections of Canyon Boulevard and Pearl Street – green bike lanes. As part of a pilot project, the City of Boulder’s Transportation Division has installed the new pavement markings to promote community awareness and increase safety for both cyclists and motorists. The city is testing the green bike lanes’ effectiveness with reducing “right hook” collisions, which involve a motorist making a right turn and accidentally colliding with a cyclist traveling in the same direction in the adjacent bike lane, as depicted in the attached diagram. Citywide, approximately 14 percent of all motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists have been attributed to right hook collisions. The intersections of Folsom Street and Canyon Boulevard (#2) and Folsom and Pearl streets (#12) were identified among the top 15 most common collision locations. These statistics were included in the Safe Streets Boulder Report, a study of motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists or pedestrians during a 40-month period between January 2008 and April 2011.
The new pavement markings on Folsom Street are the first phase of the pilot project, with additional green bike lanes planned along Colorado Avenue and Table Mesa Drive this fall. Evaluations to test the effectiveness of the markings will include field observations and an online community survey to gather input from cyclists and motorists. The green bike lanes are a traffic engineering component of the city’s three-part action plan to reduce the number of traffic collisions in Boulder through engineering, education and enforcement. The Heads Up Boulder: Mind the Crosswalk campaign was launched this summer to help educate the community about three new crosswalk safety ordinances and the Boulder Police Department will be proactively enforcing the ordinances at Boulder’s busiest intersections this fall. The new pavement markings were installed on Thursday, Sept. 6, using a preformed thermoplastic material that includes an anti-skid layer to reduce slipping. Boulder is joining other communities such as Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and San Francisco, Calif. in experimenting with bike lane pavement markings. The attached photo shows the green bike lane at the intersection of Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street and the attached diagram depicts a right hook collision.
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Spectators urged to plan ahead for Boulder Stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
0August 24, 2012
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge comes to Boulder Aug. 25, and will be one of the largest events in city history. More than 100,000 spectators are expected to be in town to cheer on cyclists for Colorado’s biggest bike race.
To help residents and visitors prepare for race day activities and transportation needs, city staff and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) have developed a Boulder Stage Interactive Map (www.usaproboulder.com/map) featuring periodic road closure times along the race route and public parking locations throughout the city. RTD also will increase bus service to Boulder to provide more transit options for race spectators, and the HOP will provide free service within Boulder on Aug. 25 to make it easier for spectators to get around town to watch the race and celebrate at the race festival on Pearl Street. Service will be doubled for the BV route and on the BOLT to Longmont.
“This will be an extraordinary event for the city, and we’re excited to showcase Boulder to an international audience of cycling fans,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam. “There are going to be several optimum places to watch the race as cyclists come through the city twice, and we want to encourage everyone – residents and visitors – to plan ahead for parking, to take advantage of public transportation, and to use Boulder’s world-class bike paths during the event.”
Some event day tips include:
- Map your route in advance and know when and where roads are closed
- Arrive early and plan to spend the day in Boulder
- Identify your preferred viewing location, and be flexible
- Dress for changing weather
- Bring water and wear comfortable shoes
- Enjoy local businesses and the festival before and during the race
- Bring cash for parking, bike corrals, and the festival – No credit cards will be accepted for parking or bike corrals
- Plan to shop or eat at a local restaurant to avoid traffic delays after the event
Event parking is available throughout the city and can be found on the Boulder Stage Interactive Map (www.usaproboulder.com/map).
Paid on-street parking is available. Paid Event Parking will be available on the University of Colorado at Boulder Campus, city garages and parking lots, and at several local organizations. City parking facilities will charge $30 for event parking during Saturday’s race to help distribute parking throughout the city. The $30 parking fee will be cash only on Aug. 25. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed. Normal parking operations will resume on Sunday, Aug. 26.
Spectators who wish to park and ride bicycles or walk to the downtown events, may park for free at Stazio Field, Flatiron Park North, Pearl East Circle near the Goose Creek path and at GE Analytical Instruments in Gunbarrel. The LOC has arranged for bike corrals at Boulder High School and Casey Middle School. Bikes may be checked in for a $2 donation between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
CU-Boulder will have shuttles operating on race day from the CU east campus parking lots and CU main campus parking lots to the intersection of 20thStreet and Pearl Street. Parking at the main campus will be $30; parking at east campus will be $20. The shuttles are included in the parking fees (no bikes allowed on shuttles).
To view the most up-to-date parking and transportation options based on your specific needs, visit the Boulder Stage Interactive Map. The state also is announcing information about road closures throughout the region. Regional information is available at www.cotrip.org.
Please visit RTD’s main website www.rtd-denver.com to see route information for Aug. 25.
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Reconstruction of Neva, Niwot roads begins Monday
0July 24, 2012
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Popular roads’ to get face lift and wider shoulders
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County will begin reconstruction of Neva and Niwot roads between U.S. 36 (Foothills Highway) and North 63rd Street on Monday, July 30. Construction is anticipated to last through the end of November.
The project will replace the roadway and add four-foot shoulders to the entire stretch. The road is expected to remain open to all traffic, including cyclists, for the majority of the project. However, users should expect variable road surfaces including milled asphalt and dirt-road conditions, lane closures, and significant delays until construction is complete. Some daytime road closures are anticipated.
“The Neva-Niwot corridor is a popular and scenic cycling route and an important access route for many county neighborhoods,” Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “The road is in need of significant repairs and this project will improve the road and enhance safety for all everyone who uses it.”
Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Visit www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation or call 303-441-3900 for updates and more information.
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Transportation Department hosting Fourmile Link welcoming event on Sunday
0July 12, 2012
Boulder County, Colo. – Following today’s grand opening of the Fourmile Link Trail at Betasso Preserve, the Boulder County Transportation Department is preparing for increased bicycle traffic on Fourmile Canyon Drive and will be hosting a welcoming event this Sunday.
What: The Boulder County Transportation Department will provide fruit, snacks, cool water and share-the-road materials for cyclists
When: Sunday, July 15 starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Near the end of the Boulder Creek Path close to the intersection of Boulder Canyon and Fourmile Canyon drives
Why:
- Additional bicycle traffic is expected on Fourmile Canyon Drive between the end of the Boulder Creek Path and the newly opened Fourmile Link Trail at Betasso preserve, especially on Sundays
- Fourmile Canyon Drive does not have bikeable shoulders and both automobiles and bicyclists are expected to share the road
- Bicyclists are encouraged to transition to single-file riding when cars are present and/or when riding around curves
- Motorists are encouraged to pass bicyclists with care, providing three feet of separation
- Motorists are encouraged slow down and wait for the next safe passing opportunity if there is oncoming traffic or a curve approaching
- Courtesy is contagious! Being patient and respectful ensures that both motorists and cyclists reach their destinations safely
Additional info:
- It is approximately 1.25 miles up Fourmile Canyon Drive from the end of the Boulder Creek Path to the start of the Fourmile Link Trail
- Betasso Preserve trails prohibit bicycles on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- The Fourmile Link Trail is 0.8 miles long and connects the Benjamin Loop with Fourmile Canyon Drive
For more information please contact Bicycle Planner Brian Graham at 720-564-2667 or bgraham@bouldercounty.org.
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Rain closes Lefthand Boulder creek rising #boulderflood
0July 7, 2012
It is raining Boulder. As of 8:00pm the following are the only incidents that the city or county are working. The city recommends you go to the OEM website. OEM does not have a feed with updates. We suggest listening to sheriffs office scanner. If things get bad later tonight we will broadcast all scanner emergency traffic here, call dispatch and command and report for you
July 7 – 5:40 p.m. – Lefthand Canyon Drive closed
Lefthand Canyon Drive is closed between Olde Stage Road and James Canyon Drive. Debris flows caused by the thunderstorm have impacted some roads mountain roads in western Boulder County.
July 7 – 5:20 p.m. – Boulder Creek flows expected to increase
With the heavy rainfall this afternoon, the City of Boulder is expecting to see an increase in Boulder Creek water levels. Last night, the creek was running at 161 cfs. It is currently at 287 cfs and is likely to run between 500 and 600 cfs by nightfall. This is not expected to cause significant spillage along the banks, but pedestrians and cyclists in the area are urged to use caution. Please remember that it is not safe to seek shelter under bridges or in other underpasses. These are designed to move floodwaters through and can be very dangerous in these conditions.
The city is also receiving some reports of nuisance street flooding in the Table Mesa area and a few other neighborhoods. Safety officials would like to remind motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters, which can be deeper than they may seem.
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Nightmare in the mountains scheduled
0June 5, 2012
County road chip seal projects begin Monday
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Transportation Department will apply chip seal to 25 miles of county roads beginning this Monday, June 11.
Starting Monday, crews will begin working on Overland Road above Jamestown and work their way down James Canyon, and then Lefthand Canyon all the way to U.S. 36 (Foothills Highway).
The chip application will be followed closely by rollers and sweepers to set the material into the road surface along with the application of a “fog-coat” to further reduce the amount of loose material. The process is expected to take less than a week for each section of road.
2012 chip seal schedule:
Week of June 11
- Overland Road
- James Canyon Drive
Week of June 18
- Lefthand Canyon Drive from James Canyon to U.S. 36
- North 75th Street from south of St. Vrain Road to Highway 66
- St. Vrain Road from 75th Street to Longmont city limits west of Airport Road
Week of June 25
- North 73rd Street from Niwot Road to Clover Basin Drive
- Niwot Road from 63rd Street to the Diagonal Highway (119)
- Jay Road from U.S. 36 to 47th Street
Week of July 2
- Jay Road from 47th Street to 75th Street
- Baseline Road from 55th Street to Cherryvale Road
Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other factors and the projects will cause minor traffic delays. Visitwww.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation for updates.
Applying chip seal to county roads is a cost-effective means of extending their life and reducing potholes. Adding stone chips to pavement after it has sat for more than five years extends the pavement life considerably, allowing for more use of the original overlay. Additionally, the cost of chipping a road is a small fraction of the cost of new paving and chip sealing uses less oil and less material than paving.
“We understand the chip seal can be disruptive to cycling and can make for a rough ride for a period of time,” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “We’ll continue using the smaller chips, which we’ve used for the last two years with good results, and we will continue sweeping and fog-sealing the roads immediately after the chips are applied to create as smooth a surface as possible. However, there will still be impacts and cyclists should expect poorer riding conditions and use caution on these roads for a couple of weeks after the work is completed.”
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Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park to get BIG race
0March 1, 2012
Valmont Bike Park selected as host of 2014 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships
Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park has been selected to host the 2014 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships. The Cyclo-Cross National Championships is held in January and is expected to bring at least 1,500 athletes and even more spectators to Boulder. According to an Economic Impact Study from the 2009 Cyclo-Cross National Championships, the host that year, Bend, OR, reaped an economic benefit of $1 million from hosting the championships.
USA Cycling made site visits to the three finalist cities of Boulder; Austin, Texas; and Asheville, N.C. earlier this year. The committee visited Valmont Bike Park on Feb. 1. Austin was selected as the host of the 2015 Cyclo-Cross National Championships, and Asheville was selected as the host of the 2016 Cyclo-Cross National Championships.
Defying gravity
“We had three outstanding bids, making the only logical choice to award all three communities,” said USA Cycling Managing Director of National Events Micah Rice. “The decision to award one-year contracts for the championships will also help foster cyclo-cross racing in three distinctively different parts of the country.”
“We are so proud that Valmont Bike Park was chosen to host the 2014 United States Cyclo-Cross National Championships,” said Kirk Kincannon, director of the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. “This reiterates that we have a world-class park in our community, and we’re thrilled that this investment is paying off so quickly in terms of daily users, programming, events, and now as the host of a USA Cycling event. The Cyclo-Cross Championships should bring an estimated $1 million economic benefit to Boulder.”
“It is a real honor for Parks and Recreation to host this national event,” said Mike Eubank, Valmont Bike Park manager. “The Cyclo-Cross National Championships is like the Super Bowl of cycling. This is tremendous news for Boulder, and especially for all the local cyclists and bike organizations who have been involved in creating this one-of-a-kind bike park.”
“I’m incredibly proud of what our community has created at Valmont Bike Park, and hosting these championships is the next step in affirming the benefits of a dedicated bike park,” said Pete Webber, Valmont course designer and recent Masters World Champion.
For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or call Mike Eubank, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7226. Valmont Bike Park website: http://bouldermountainbike.org/valmontbikepark.
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Boulder traffic nightmares to continue
0November 14, 2011
Pearl Parkway closed for railroad crossing rehabilitation
From 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, Pearl Parkway, between 30th Street and Frontier Avenue, will be closed in both directions for work on the railroad crossing. This closure will include the multi-use path along the south side of Pearl Parkway. Access to local businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
During construction, motorists will be detoured to Arapahoe and Valmont roads, and cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured north to the Goose Creek path. Detours will be posted, and alternate routes are advised. The RTD route 206 will be detoured onto Valmont Road between 30th Street and Foothills Parkway. Transit stops in the area will be closed and bus passengers on the 206 will encounter delays.
Crews from BNSF Railway will be working to restore the entire railroad crossing on Pearl Parkway. The project will include the complete replacement of rails and ties, installation of new concrete crossing panels, and restoration of the roadway and multi-use path approaches. The work schedule is weather-dependent and closure dates and times are subject to change.
Questions about the closure may be directed to David Neubauer of BNSF Railway at 307-432-7363. For more information, contact Alex May, Transportation Project Manager at 303-441-3266 or visit www.boulderconezones.net.
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Boulder bike park a winner!
0October 12, 2011
Parks and Recreation Department wins 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association award for Valmont Bike Park
The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department was awarded the 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Columbine Award for Recreation Facility Design at Valmont Bike Park. The award was presented to Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon and Recreation Superintendent Alice Guthrie on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the CPRA Annual Conference in Grand Junction.
“This is a great honor for the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department,” said Kincannon. “Valmont Bike Park was designed and constructed with the community in mind. Through our extensive public input process, we were able to create a park that appeals to all levels of cyclists and provides a great recreation facility for families. We are thrilled to have this community treasure recognized by the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association.”
The opening of Valmont Bike Park in June 2011 was the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the community and Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. A 40-acre, natural-surface bike park, Valmont was designed and developed in partnership with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA), a group representing the area’s active, off-road cycling community. BMA brought volunteers, funding and sport-specific expertise to this ambitious project. BMA also agreed to help with fundraising and long-term stewardship of the bike facility and formed a partnership with the PLAY Boulder Parks Foundation as a mechanism to receive tax-deductible donations.
The park offers trails and features for all ages, riding abilities and styles. It also incorporates the latest sustainable design features including water conservation systems; LEEDTM certified building design, solar photovoltaic power and wildlife-proof recycling and trash containers.
The addition of the park and completion of multi-use trails leading to it elevated Boulder’s League of American Bicyclists’ status from gold to one of only three, Platinum-level bike friendly communities in the U.S. Valmont Bike Park provides new recreation opportunities for the community and competitive venues for local, national and international events.
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THOUSANDS OF RIDERS IN BUFFALO BICYCLE CLASSIC WILL HELP CU-BOULDER STUDENTS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS
0August 19, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
In 1991, when Punam Chatterjee was 20 months old, a drunk driver careened into her parents’ car. Her leg was shattered, as was her father’s. Her mother lost an eye. Although she was too young to remember it, she has since learned that while her parents convalesced, nurses volunteered to comfort her and read to her.
“I don’t know any of those people … but what they did for me was just incredible,” Chatterjee recalled.
She still has multiple screws in her leg, and while she said she’s “never going to try out for the Army,” she is active. And she is ambitious: “I want to be a doctor and help children who went through what I did.”
Throughout her education at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Elevations Credit Union Buffalo BicycleClassic has helped Chatterjee pursue her dream. She graduated in May with degrees in psychology and neuroscience plus molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
Chatterjee is one of the hundreds of recipients of $1.4 million in scholarship money raised by CU’s Buffalo Bicycle Classic since its founding in 2003.
The event is the brainchild of Todd Gleeson, dean of CU’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Woody Eaton, a 1962 alumnus, businessman, investor and philanthropist. The pair hatched the idea of a fundraising ride for scholarships while cycling together in support of The Children’s Hospital.
Gleeson and Eaton enlisted the help of Frank Banta and Gail Mock of Boulder. Banta, of Banta Construction, is a 1972 alumnus, and Mock, of Mock Realty, is a longtime university supporter. The event is organized and overseen by volunteers.
The event has generated 548 scholarships for good students who need financial support. Students cannot apply for the scholarship and don’t even know they’re in the running until they learn they have won. It is the single largest source of scholarships in theCollege of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest of the university’s colleges and schools.
The event was canceled last year because of the Fourmile Canyon Fire, but because most riders and sponsors did not request a refund, scholarships remained funded.
Scholarship recipients call it a significant windfall.
Leslie Fowler, a current scholarship recipient majoring in classics, put it this way: “I am so grateful to have been selected as a BBC scholar because it makes me feel more confident about paying my student loans after graduation. It makes me feel that much closer to having my dream job as a high school teacher.”
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are gearing up for this year’s Elevations Credit Union Buffalo Bicycle Classic on Sept. 11 in Boulder. Ambitious cyclists can ride the 100-mile, 70-mile, 50-mile or 35-mile rides. More casual riders, including families and recreational riders, are encouraged to ride the 14-mile Little Buffalo, which will include snow cones and complimentary face paintings.
Riders are encouraged to register early, as the ride will be capped at 2,500 cyclists, a number the ride has attracted in recent years.
All cyclists participating in this fully supported, fundraising ride will generate scholarship funds. Online registration of $95 for the longer rides includes a scholarship donation of$45. Registration for the Little Buffalo is $65 for participants 14 and older and $35 for riders from 8 to 13.
Those who “Ride the Buffalo” will start and finish on the CU-Boulder campus at Benson Field, located across Colorado Avenue from Folsom Field. The longer courses traverse through Boulder and Larimer counties. The 14-mile Little Buff is a fun cruiser ride around Boulder to the town of Marshall; it is perfect for those who want to participate but don’t want to face long courses and busy roads.
Registration for all rides includes a Ride the Buffalo T-shirt, water bottle, aid-station treats, breakfast and lunch. Jerseys, socks and other merchandise are available separately. An expo featuring sponsors will be held at the start/finish, and riders can win raffle prizes and enjoy after-race food, beverages and entertainment.
Riders can register online at http://www.buffalobicycleclassic.com. Walk-up registration is available the day of the ride and includes a $10 late fee. For information call 303-735-1569 or email bbc@colorado.edu.
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County road chip seal projects begin Monday
0August 3, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Transportation Department will apply chip seal to six county roads beginning this Monday, Aug. 8.
2011 chip seal schedule:
Week of August 8
• Eldora Ski Road
• North 75th Street from Baseline Road to Jay Road
Week of Aug. 15
• Valmont Road from 55th Street to 61st Street
• 61st Street / Andrus Road / 63rd Street from Valmont Road to Jay Road
• Airport Road from Highway 119 to Glenneyre Drive
Week of Aug. 22
• North 95th Street from Lookout Road to Niwot Road
Additionally, all chip sealed roads will receive fog coating during the week of Aug. 29.
Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other factors and the projects will cause minor traffic delays. Visit www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation for updates.
With the exception of the Eldora Ski Road, all roads will be sealed with smaller, quarter-inch chips that provide a smoother surface. The county switched last year to the smaller chips from the standard 3/8-inch chips to increase rideability for cyclists and motorists. Fog coating also helps to create a smoother surface.
“Our new chipping product and process has made a significant positive impact on the ride experience, Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “However, there will still be impacts and cyclists should expect poorer riding conditions on these roads for the next four weeks.”
Applying chip seal to county roads is a cost-effective means of extending their life. Adding stone chips to pavement after it has sat for more than five years extends the pavement life considerably, allowing for more use of the original overlay. Additionally, the cost of chipping a road is a small fraction of the cost of new paving and chip sealing uses less oil and less material than paving.
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Emergency lane closures on South Boulder Road expected to last several days
0July 18, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Boulder County, Colo. – Due to damage, one lane of South Boulder Road is closed in both directions from South 68th Street to Barcelona Drive, just west of 76th Street.
The lane closures are expected to last for several days and will cause traffic congestion. Motorists and cyclists should use caution through the area and are advised to take alternate routes.
The damage was caused by upward heaving of the large concrete panels that make up the road. An assessment is underway to determine what caused the heaving.
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Cherryvale construction underway; significant delays expected
0June 14, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Transportation Department has begun construction on Cherryvale Road between Arapahoe and Baseline roads.
Cherryvale is currently open to through traffic, with significant delays expected through August. Cyclists and motorists are encouraged to use detours on 55th and 75th streets to avoid delays.
Daytime road closures may become necessary to expedite certain phases of the road reconstruction and overlay. Any closures will be announced two weeks in advance.
Elements of the Cherryvale project include:
• Widening the roadway approximately 6 feet to improve safety and accessibility for bicycles and pedestrians
• Replacing road culverts to improve drainage
• Construction of a soft-surface pedestrian path on the west side of the road between Reserve Drive and Arapahoe Road
• Reconstruction and overlay of Cherryvale between Baseline and Arapahoe roads
• Reconstruction of Dimmit Drive with turn restrictions implemented at Gapter Road
• Restriping to provide 5-foot bike shoulders
Message boards are located in the area to alert residents of any construction schedule changes. Additional information and updates are available at www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation.
