Travel
Boulder Travel section has our TV travel series, on America, Beaches and 2 lane black top hi-ways. Plus news and featured Travel business profiles.. To advertise please call 303-447-8531
Boulder County: Popular Hessie Trailhead is a parking nightmare
Apr 12th
Hessie Trailhead safety, access issues to be addressed
First of three public meetings scheduled for April 24
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Transportation and Parks and Open Space departments are proposing changes to the Fourth of July Road (County Road 111) to address concerns about safety and access to the Hessie Trailhead area.
The improvements are proposed to be made between the junction of Hessie Road and the end-of-pavement at the west end of the Eldora townsite (see map).
Congestion near the trailhead and along the road has resulted in gridlock and created unsafe conditions for residents and visitors. As a result of the number of vehicles and people attempting to navigate through the area, it can be impossible for emergency responders to get from Nederland to the trailhead and points beyond in a timely manner. Watch video of traffic congestion.
The Hessie Trailhead is operated by the U.S. Forest Services and is a popular access point to the Indian Peaks Wilderness and several lakes and trails.
“The popularity of this area has created a major safety issue, so we’ve developed ideas for keeping the road clear so that people can recreate safely, access is maintained for both the public and emergency responders, and impacts to the community of Eldora are minimized.” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said.
The Boulder County staff proposal includes:
- Widening the road and adding designated road shoulder parking
- Free shuttle service from Nederland High School on summer weekends and holidays
- New regulatory parking signage
- Increased parking enforcement
Meetings and feedback
Three public events will be held to answer questions and collect comments from interested residents and visitors. Comments may besubmitted online until May 11.
- Public Meeting
Tuesday, April 24, 6 p.m.
Nederland High School library, 597 County Road 130
- Open House
Tuesday, May 8, 4:30-7 p.m.
Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder
- Commissioners’ Public Hearing
Tuesday, May 22, 2 p.m.
Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder
For more information, including the project overview and history, meeting schedules, online comment form and contact information, visit www.HessieTrailhead.com.
City of Boulder to get tough on crosswalk violations—finally
Apr 6th
Police to step up crosswalk safety enforcement
Residents should be aware of three new laws
Beginning on Monday, April 9, 2012, the Boulder Police Department will be performing proactive enforcement at city crosswalks. As priorities allow, officers will target Boulder’s busiest intersections to make sure drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are following three new rules that went into effect in February.
The three amendments to the Boulder Revised code are:
- “Stop at crosswalk required” [7-4-77] stipulates that when one vehicle stops to yield for a person in a crosswalk, another vehicle cannot overtake and pass that vehicle.
- “8 mph speed limit for bicycles in a crosswalk” [7-5-5] establishes a speed limit of 8 mph for bicyclists during the immediate approach, entry and traversal of any crosswalk that spans a roadway.
- “Pedestrian obedience to traffic signal required” [7-5-15(f)] targets the use of flashing crosswalks (those with flashing yellow crosswalk signs) by requiring a person crossing to enter the crosswalk with the warning device activated.
The rules are intended to address some of the most frequent problems highlighted in “Safe Streets Boulder,” the city’s recent traffic study analyzing data from motor vehicle collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. The data compiled during a 40-month period indicated that overall, the city’s street safety record is good, considering the high number of pedestrian and bicycle trips in Boulder.
“Most people are using common sense and following the law, but there are still some problem areas in town. We’re stepping up enforcement to educate citizens about the new laws. Ultimately our goal is to save lives and prevent more accidents,” says Cmdr. Carey Weinheimer.
The report found that crosswalks at intersections are the most common location for collisions and identified 15 of the most accident-prone spots. Police will focus enforcement efforts at those locations. Four of the intersections are along Broadway, adjacent to the University of Colorado campus. The University of Colorado Police Department will also enforce the city’s pedestrian ordinances and focus on high traffic areas of campus.
Possible penalties for violating the new laws are listed below:
- Stop at Crosswalk Required [7-4-77]: possible $300 bond, $125 mail-in fine and 4 point violation
- Speeding bicycles in Crosswalks [7-5-5]: possible $100 mail-in fine and 0 points
- Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Signals [7-5-15(f)]: possible $50 mail-in fine and 0 points
Open house for proposed #Boulder Transit Center area improvements
Mar 9th
The City of Boulder is evaluating a variety of options for multimodal transportation improvements to the Boulder Transit Center area on 14th Street, between Canyon Boulevard and Walnut Street (in and around the area where the current RTD transit center is located).
The public is invited to attend an open house on Monday, March 12, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building lobby, 1777 Broadway, to review a variety of concepts currently being considered as part of this project.
The project, which will be jointly funded by the City of Boulder Capital Improvement Bond and a Colorado Department of Transportation FASTER grant, has the following goals:
- Improve bus access, capacity and circulation;
- Improve pedestrian safety, access and experience;
- Enhance the streetscape and landscaping in the area;
- Enhance the transit passenger drop-off zone;
- Improve bicycle access and parking;
- Minimize impacts to automobile parking and circulation; and
- Improve the character and utility of the existing transit center.
For those unable to attend the March 12 open house, meeting materials and an online comment form are available atwww.bouldertransportation.net.
For more information about the open house and options being considered for Boulder Transit Center area improvements, contact Cris Jones at 303-441-3217.
This project is partially funded by the city’s Capital Improvement Bond, which is the result of a 2011 ballot item that voters approved, giving the city the authority to issue a bond to address significant deficiencies and high priority infrastructure improvements throughout Boulder. For more information on the Capital Improvement Bond projects, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/bondprojects.
