Posts tagged shoulders
Restrictions Established in James Canyon
May 9th
Traveling and Cycling Restrictions in James Canyon
Mayor Schoedinger asks for patience and cooperation to assist with recovery
Due to continued recovery and repair operations associated with the September 2013 flood event, Boulder County is re-establishing restrictions on non-local traffic, including bicycles, in James Canyon from the junction with Left Hand Canyon, through Jamestown, to the junction with State Highway 72 (Peak to Peak). The restrictions will go into effect immediately. Lefthand Canyon will remain open to all roadway users.
While the county’s high-hazard area remediation work has moved out of the area and into Fourmile Mile Canyon, private recovery efforts remain extensive. There continues to be a high-volume of large trucks and heavy machinery moving in and around Jamestown, which is creating a hazardous environment for motorists and cyclists alike.
After the flood event, many sections of Lefthand Canyon and James Canyon Drive were completely destroyed and Boulder County worked quickly to replace the previous asphalt roadway by installing temporary dirt “winter roads.” In areas where “winter roads” were created, the unpaved roadway narrows significantly and safe, uphill shoulders for cyclists are no longer available. This forces cyclists into the main flow of traffic for extended lengths, creating hazardous riding and driving conditions for travelers in both directions.
County Transportation Director George Gerstle asks for everyone’s patience and understanding by avoiding travel in James Canyon, as well in the Fourmile Canyon and the Raymond/Riverside area unless you are a resident or have business in the area. “If you don’t live in these areas and aren’t helping rebuild these hard-hit communities, you’re probably obstructing recovery operations. We want to remind folks who want to travel the mountain canyons that Lefthand and Sunshine canyons are better options and are open all the way to the Peak to Peak Highway. These canyons are also are narrow and have been reconstructed out of dirt in many areas, so we are asking everyone to be patient and drive slowly, and remember we’re working to make the roads more safe for everyone.”
As was available before to area residents who routinely commute by bicycle, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is offering special permits that will allow those people to continue cycling. Please call 303-441-3650 to obtain a permit. Failure to comply with the cycling restriction may result in a court summons.
For more information, contact Andrew Barth, Transportation Department communications specialist, at 303-441-1032.
Source: Boulder County
Open Space/Mountain Park news
Jul 22nd
Beginning today, July 22, Community Ditch Trail will be closed at State Highway 93. The closure is likely to last for most of the next year in order to facilitate the installation of an underpass that will allow trail users to cross SH 93 without mixing with highway traffic. All trails in the area will remain open for use, but may offer only an out and back experience during the closure. There will be extensive construction activity in the area of the underpass and the department asks that all users respect the closure and avoid the construction zone for their and other’s safety. Traffic on SH 93 will also be affected. However, the highway will remain open during construction with various lane restrictions.
NEWS
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Media Contacts:
Jim Reeder, Open Space and Mountain Parks, 303-413-7640
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
Work to begin on underpass on Community Ditch Trail at State Highway 93
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department announced today that work will begin on the long-awaited underpass on Community Ditch Trail at State Highway 93 (Hwy. 93) on Monday, July 22. When completed, trail users will cross under Hwy. 93 rather than mixing with traffic on the highway.
The underpass is one part of a larger Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) project. Hwy. 93, from State Highway 170 to State Highway 128, will also be widened to create wider shoulders and be overlain with new asphalt. The work will be done by a CDOT contractor.
The underpass is expected to be in use by July of next year. Vehicular traffic will be affected by the construction work with some lane closures. However, the highway will remain open for the duration of the construction work.
“OSMP has wanted to create a safer crossing of 93 for many years. Safety for our trail users is a priority, and we are excited to learn that installation will begin next week,” said Jim Reeder, OSMP division manager. “We anticipate that more users will begin to explore and enjoy the Community Ditch Trail once this project is complete.”
While the underpass is being built, however, existing users should know that the existing crossing via Hwy. 93 will be closed. This means that several trails will temporarily become out-and-back trails, starting on July 22. Individuals can check the department’s website at www.osmp.org for information about which trails are affected.
For more information, call OSMP at 303-441-3440.¡¡ Additional information can also be found on www.osmp.org.
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