Posts tagged available
R U ready for CONE ZONE HELL in Boulder this summer??
Jun 15th
Summer transportation and utilities construction ramps up
As the summer season progresses, additional construction may be noticeable to those traveling around Boulder as the city continues to improve the community’s transportation and utilities infrastructure. Although construction projects happen throughout the year, the city schedules more work during the summer months to take advantage of warmer temperatures, longer days and less traffic. During summer 2012, construction crews will be working to replace aging waterlines, resurface city streets and improve travel options.
All active projects and the associated traffic impacts will be updated weekly at
www.boulderconezones.net. Some of the major summer construction projects with potential traffic impacts are summarized below.
2012 Street Resurfacing Projects
The city’s annual street resurfacing projects began in May and will continue through the fall. More than 60 city streets are targeted for either chip seal, resurfacing (overlay) or reconstruction in 2012. View a list and map of streets planned for resurfacing and reconstruction.
In general, these projects will involve daytime traffic impacts, intermittent lane or road closures, and parking restrictions. More streets are scheduled for resurfacing than in past summers as a result of the 2011 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond; however, budgeting and project coordination may cause some of the projects to be put on the list for next year.
Broadway (Euclid to 18th) Transportation Improvements Project
Construction on Broadway, between Euclid Avenue and 18th Street, is currently on schedule to be completed by mid-August 2012. For more information about the project, visit www.bouldertransportation.net.
2012 Boulder Waterline Replacement Project
Beginning on Monday, June 18, and continuing through mid-November, construction crews will be working to replace corroded waterlines throughout Boulder. The annual waterline replacement project involves temporarily disconnecting then reconnecting water service.Significant delays and traffic impacts are expected while crews work across the intersection of Alpine Avenue and 19th Street during the week of June 18.
The waterline replacements will improve the city’s water distribution system, including service reliability and water quality. The city has coordinated utilities and transportation improvements so that the streets impacted by the construction will be patched after the waterlines are replaced and then repaved as part of the city’s annual pavement resurfacing program.
More information about the 2012 Boulder Waterline Replacement Project is available at www.boulderwater.net.
2012 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project
This project will begin on Monday, June 18, and involves the rehabilitation of sanitary sewer lines at various locations throughout the city. In general, motorists can expect intermittent delays, daytime lane closures and parking restrictions at the work sites. Individual work sites and times will be scheduled on a weekly basis and posted at www.boulderconezones.net. The project is scheduled for completion by September.
For the latest information on travel impacts associated with city construction projects, visit www.boulderconezones.net or follow@boulderconezone on Twitter.
More BoCo families to be eligible for help with child care
Jun 11th
Boulder County expanding access to quality child care assistance by raising qualifying income limits
Boulder County, Colo. – As increasing numbers of families in Boulder County struggle with economic challenges, the county is expanding access to quality child care assistance to help them re-establish their self-sufficiency.
Effective July 1, Boulder County will raise Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) income limits by over 25%. Previously, a family with income above 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) was ineligible for financial assistance for child care. Under the expanded eligibility guidelines, a Boulder County family can now have income up to 225% of the FPL and still qualify. As an example, for a family of three, this increases monthly income limits from $2,857 to $3,580. The expansion was requested by the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) and approved by county commissioners.
“Work supports are a crucial part of an economic recovery,” said Jennifer Eads, director of DHHS’ Self-Sufficiency and Community Support Division. “The more we can do to help parents find jobs or complete their education, the better their chances are for re-building a lasting foundation for their families.”
An important part of Boulder County DHHS’ mission is removing barriers to work for families struggling to sustain themselves. CCAP provides crucial supports for parents and caregivers who are looking for a job or who are employed but are unable to afford quality care for their children. Boulder County’s expansion of this program recognizes both the ongoing employment challenges and the high cost of living in the county.
Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner said she was happy to support the eligibility expansion. “This has been a difficult past few years for so many of our neighbors,” Gardner said. “If we are going to have a real and lasting recovery, we need to help people get back on their feet.”
Currently, parents and caregivers of nearly 1,000 children are receiving child care assistance through CCAP in Boulder County. Quality child care providers across Boulder County accept CCAP payments. The county currently receives about ten applications per month from families above 185% of the FPL. Of the seventeen Colorado counties now allowing incomes up to 225% of the FPL, Boulder County is the largest in terms of population.
Christina Ostrom, Boulder County’s Family and Resident Support Services Division Manager, oversees the CCAP program and the county’s partnership with Aspen Family Services, which administers the eligibility portion of the program. “I’m thrilled that Boulder County is able to increase the income limit for families struggling to pay child care costs,” she says. “Many families don’t realize they are eligible, and hopefully now they’ll call for a screening.”
The CCAP expansion will be funded through revenue generated by the Temporary Human Services Safety Net (TSN). The TSN (Ballot Initiative 1A) was approved by voters in November 2010, and is a five-year increase in property taxes that is designed to backfill cuts to state funding for human services in Boulder County.
CCAP Eligibility and other requirements are available at www.bouldercountychildcare.org or by calling Aspen Family Services at 303-604-1043, extension 2828.
