Eastern Boulder County commuters to face major logjam this week

Closure of Baseline Road, along with construction work elsewhere, promises delays

By John Aguilar Camera Staff Writer Boulder Daily Camera

Posted: DailyCamera.com

Call it the Eastern Boulder County Crawl.

Commuters moving from Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette and Louisville toward Boulder and back next week will likely notice a considerable increase in traffic and an annoying bump in backups.

The chief culprit for the upcoming travel woes is Baseline Road, which will be closed between 75th and 95th streets so that a new rail crossing can be installed in Lafayette. But a collection of other road construction projects east of Boulder -- on Arapahoe Road, South Boulder Road and 76th Street -- will combine with the Baseline closure to make life behind the wheel a real drag for people traveling east-west across the county.

"I don't remember a time when we've had so much going on in all the corridors," Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. "It's going to certainly be a difficult week for everyone, and we ask for everyone's patience."

The fun starts at 9 a.m. Monday when Baseline shuts down to through traffic (local traffic will still have access) and remains closed between 75th and 95th streets for at least four days. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Burlington Northern will replace its rickety wooden crossing with a concrete one, and on Monday and Thursday, the city will tear out 15 feet of asphalt on either side of the tracks and then repatch the road once the new crossing is in.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will be done on Friday," Lafayette Public Works Director Doug Short said. "The new tracks are already on site."

But in the event of weather delays or project complications, the city is prepared to keep motorists off Baseline until Oct. 24. Electronic signs will be posted starting Monday informing motorists of the situation.

With Baseline Road out of commission, it means the 5,000 motorists who normally traverse that section of road each day will need to find new routes east and west. Valmont and Lookout roads -- even Colo. 52 farther north -- are all cone zone-free options, especially for residents of Erie and northern Lafayette.

Gerstle urges commuters to adjust their travel times out of rush hours, share the drive with someone else or try the bus. The Jump rolls from Erie to Boulder down Arapahoe Road, while The Dash goes from Lafayette to Boulder via South Boulder Road.

"We encourage folks to leave a little earlier or later so not everyone is trying to leave at the same time," he said. "It would also be a great opportunity to test out the bus."

Kristin Flood, of Erie, said the anticipated traffic troubles in eastern Boulder County next week could prompt her to give public transit a shot in getting to her job at The Nature Conservancy's Boulder office. Whether the ride on the bus will become habit-forming, Flood doubts it. She said she has children she has to drive to athletic events most days and can't risk waiting around for a late or disabled bus.

"It would probably double my time," she said of the journey on The Jump.

Flood said she hopes to avoid much of the hassle next week by sticking with her regular route on Valmont Road, though she knows she'll be battling it out with motorists who generally use Baseline Road. Already she has noticed increased use of Valmont Road over the last few years -- a commute that took her 25 minutes one-way now can take 40 minutes.

"I'm pretty sure it's going to be 10 times worse than it is," she said of next week.

Jeannie Dulaney, who has commuted from her Louisville home to her job at Flatirons Elementary School in Boulder for four years, said she will leave the aggravation of driving to the Regional Transportation District. She usually takes The Dash to work, and starting next week, she will simply give herself more time to make it to work.

"Knowing there will be more traffic on South Boulder Road because of this, I will plan to leave earlier," she said.

The only way to approach the imminent slowdown across eastern Boulder County, she said, is with acceptance.

"These kinds of things have to happen, and four days isn't such a big deal," Dulaney said. "Everyone needs to think ahead -- and relax."

$3 million improvement project begins at Boulder Reservoir

$3 million improvement project begins at Boulder Reservoir

By Erica Meltzer Camera Staff Writer Boulder Daily Camera

Posted: DailyCamera.com

Boulder began a $3 million improvement project at the Boulder Reservoir on Monday that aims to improve infrastructure for visitors and increase operational efficiencies.

The main entrance will be closed at least through next May, as construction crews work on entry-gate fencing, roadway and parking lot improvements, sewer and stormwater management infrastructure, landscaping and the installation of a raw water irrigation system. The aquatic nuisance monitoring system also will be upgraded.

The project was funded as part of $49 million in capital improvement programs approved last fall by Boulder voters.

The reservoir improvements were identified as high-priority projects in the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan, which was adopted by the City Council earlier this year after a public process.

Boulder Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Jennifer Bray said many of the improvements will directly affect the visitor experience. There should be better traffic flow through the main entrance, fewer traffic back-ups during the height of the season and fewer traffic problems along 51st Street during special events.

The entrance should also be more attractive due to new landscaping and architectural features.

Bray said the entryway improvements also will allow for better monitoring of aquatic nuisance species and will include a decontamination station to prevent infestations.

Other parts of the project include the development of multi-use trails along 51st Street and the north shore of the reservoir to allow off-street access from 51st and to provide connections with other regional trails, dock improvements along the south shore, building renovations and utility upgrades.

"All of the improvements are high priority in that, once implemented, they will address ongoing operational efficiencies and accommodate the expectations and needs of the community," Bray said.

Work on the trail improvements is expected to continue through 2015, though most of the rest of the project is expected to wrap up sooner.

The reservoir will continue to be open during construction, but visitors will have to avoid the main entrance.

Visitors will be able to get to the reservoir's south shore through a temporary gate, which will be located at the south overflow parking lot.

There will be a temporary gatehouse located inside the gates of the south overflow lot and it will be open and staffed during regular facility hours.

People who are driving to the reservoir to run, walk or bike should use either the Eagle Trail parking area or enter into the reservoir and park in the main lot.

Contact Camera Business Writer Erica Meltzer at 303-473-1355 or meltzere@dailycamera.com.

Eastern Boulder County commuters to face major logjam this week

Sorry for #5…

Closure of Baseline Road, along with construction work elsewhere, promises delays

By John Aguilar Camera Staff Writer Boulder Daily Camera

Posted:    DailyCamera.com

Call it the Eastern Boulder County Crawl.

Commuters moving from Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette and Louisville toward Boulder and back next week will likely notice a considerable increase in traffic and an annoying bump in backups.

The chief culprit for the upcoming travel woes is Baseline Road, which will be closed between 75th and 95th streets so that a new rail crossing can be installed in Lafayette. But a collection of other road construction projects east of Boulder -- on Arapahoe Road, South Boulder Road and 76th Street -- will combine with the Baseline closure to make life behind the wheel a real drag for people traveling east-west across the county.

"I don't remember a time when we've had so much going on in all the corridors," Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. "It's going to certainly be a difficult week for everyone, and we ask for everyone's patience."

The fun starts at 9 a.m. Monday when Baseline shuts down to through traffic (local traffic will still have access) and remains closed between 75th and 95th streets for at least four days. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Burlington Northern will replace its rickety wooden crossing with a concrete one, and on Monday and Thursday, the city will tear out 15 feet of asphalt on either side of the tracks and then repatch the road once the new crossing is in.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will be done on Friday," Lafayette Public Works Director Doug Short said. "The new tracks are already on site."

But in the event of weather delays or project complications, the city is prepared to keep motorists off Baseline until Oct. 24. Electronic signs will be posted starting Monday informing motorists of the situation.

With Baseline Road out of commission, it means the 5,000 motorists who normally traverse that section of road each day will need to find new routes east and west. Valmont and Lookout roads -- even Colo. 52 farther north -- are all cone zone-free options, especially for residents of Erie and northern Lafayette.

Gerstle urges commuters to adjust their travel times out of rush hours, share the drive with someone else or try the bus. The Jump rolls from Erie to Boulder down Arapahoe Road, while The Dash goes from Lafayette to Boulder via South Boulder Road.

"We encourage folks to leave a little earlier or later so not everyone is trying to leave at the same time," he said. "It would also be a great opportunity to test out the bus."

Kristin Flood, of Erie, said the anticipated traffic troubles in eastern Boulder County next week could prompt her to give public transit a shot in getting to her job at The Nature Conservancy's Boulder office. Whether the ride on the bus will become habit-forming, Flood doubts it. She said she has children she has to drive to athletic events most days and can't risk waiting around for a late or disabled bus.

"It would probably double my time," she said of the journey on The Jump.

Flood said she hopes to avoid much of the hassle next week by sticking with her regular route on Valmont Road, though she knows she'll be battling it out with motorists who generally use Baseline Road. Already she has noticed increased use of Valmont Road over the last few years -- a commute that took her 25 minutes one-way now can take 40 minutes.

"I'm pretty sure it's going to be 10 times worse than it is," she said of next week.

Jeannie Dulaney, who has commuted from her Louisville home to her job at Flatirons Elementary School in Boulder for four years, said she will leave the aggravation of driving to the Regional Transportation District. She usually takes The Dash to work, and starting next week, she will simply give herself more time to make it to work.

"Knowing there will be more traffic on South Boulder Road because of this, I will plan to leave earlier," she said.

The only way to approach the imminent slowdown across eastern Boulder County, she said, is with acceptance.

"These kinds of things have to happen, and four days isn't such a big deal," Dulaney said. "Everyone needs to think ahead -- and relax."

Contact Camera Staff Writer John Aguilar at 303-473-1389 or aguilarj@dailycamera.com.

Nice day for a big pick at the Red Lion Bridge. Thanks to Paramount Construction and Gebau for their fine work today..

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