Posts tagged trailhead
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.
Avoid East Valmont like the plague
Sep 19th
Daytime closures start Sept. 28
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Transportation Department has begun the reconstruction of Valmont Road between 75th and 95th streets.
Construction and significant delays are expected to last through mid-November. Cyclists and motorists are encouraged to use detours to avoid delays.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 28, Valmont Road will be closed between 75th and 95th streets to all vehicles, including bicycles, on weekdays only (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The daytime closures will be in effect until Nov. 8.
Accommodations have been made to allow passage of emergency vehicles and school buses along with local traffic and delivery vehicles to homes within the work zone.
All vehicles should expect variable pavement conditions, significant construction activity and potential delays along Valmont Road for the duration of the project.
“Valmont Road is one of the gateway corridors within the county,” construction supervisor Joe Bath said. “This project will be a major improvement to the road and will enhance safety for all forms of traffic.”
The Valmont Shoulders and Roadway Reconstruction project includes the complete removal and replacement of the existing asphalt pavement along with the addition of paved shoulders to each edge of the road.
The City of Boulder’s trail connection to the Teller Lake trailhead will also be reconstructed and the trail crossing of Valmont Road improved. The Teller Lake trail and trailhead will be closed sometime in early October to accommodate that portion of the project work.
Schedules are subject to change. Message boards are located in the area to alert residents of any construction schedule changes and additional information is available at www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation. Contact Tim Swope at tswope@bouldercounty.org to be added to the notification email list.
Parking enforcement to be increased at Hessie Trailhead
Aug 25th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and Transportation Department will be enforcing parking restrictions beginning this weekend at the Hessie Trailhead on Fourth of July Road (County Road 111) west of the town of Eldora.
Weekend 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 would be impossible for an emergency vehicle to get from Eldora to the trailhead in a timely manner.
Watch video of traffic congestion.
“This is major safety issue that needs to be addressed right away,” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “There is very limited parking and it is important to keep the road clear so people can recreate safely and access is maintained for emergency responders.”
Parking is also discouraged in the town of Eldora. Visitors are encouraged to carpool or visit other locations during the remaining busy summer weekends.