In a move that will favor energy-conscious road projects, the Colorado Department of Transportation has begun giving priority to projects that cut car emissions.

It is a consideration, one of many, that might help move along road plans on Summit County's wish list, including widening the remaining stretch of Highway 9 between Tiger Road and Agape Church.

Because cars moving quickly along a two-lane highway give off less emissions than do cars stuck in traffic on a one-lane highway, CDOT might give the Hwy 9 project higher consideration under the new energy-conscious standards.

“As time goes on we become more and more energy conscious,” CDOT spokesman Bob Wilson said. “It's not something that was necessarily looked at 40 years ago … It's definitely a factor that plays a role today.”

But it's not the only factor, transportation officials say, or even the most important one in deciding which projects get built first.

“There are a lot of other factors that can go into making determinations on a project,” Wilson said.

Safety is the biggest one. There are also environmental factors, such as lighting and noise as well as historical considerations — not to mention feasibility and cost.

But a new focus on energy consciousness will make CDOT look more closely at projects that will benefit the environment and cut emissions, including recreation and bike paths.

“Transportation's a big part of our greenhouse gas emissions,” assistant county manager Thad Noll said.

It's a consideration county officials have already taken into account in planning for local road projects, such as a proposed roundabout at Fairview Boulevard on Hwy. 9.

The policy likely won't impact the future of Summit County projects already moving forward, county officials said.

“I can't tell you what the impact will be on our future projects, but it will not have an impact on getting the projects that are already planned and designed built,” Noll said.

Future projects planned for Summit County include the Highway 9 widening and a full realignment of the highway between the hospital and Summit High School.

CDOT and county officials considered moving Hwy. 9 from its current position alongside Dillon Reservoir to cut through the forest several years ago, but at the time it would have meant cutting down healthy trees.

Now, with the impacts of the pine beetle on the area, the project might be feasible again. Realigning the highway would allow it to be widened to two lanes in each direction, but it is a long-term, $30-million dollar project.