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Stacey Stegman: CDOT clarifies Silverthorne interchange project

Stacey Stegman
Director of Public Information
Colorado Department of Transportation

I wanted to correct any misperceptions regarding this project and CDOT’s actions. The Silverthorne Interchange Project was a feasibility study, not a construction project. While it was looking at alternatives to improve the interchange and US 6/State Highway 9, CDOT has never identified funding for federally required environmental clearance, final design or construction of the recommendations proposed by the feasibility study. When the opportunity to pursue the Twin Tunnels project and address one of the most congested areas on the corridor arose, CDOT appropriately made this new project a top priority.

We did not divert funds from the Silverthorne interchange project nor are we ultimately delaying the project as there were no construction funds identified for the project in the first place. Our intent is to put the project on the back burner for a time, get the Twin Tunnels project moving forward, address some other problem areas at the interchange and then revisit the Silverthorne interchange feasibility study in late 2012 or early 2013. While the study is important, there are drainage issues at the bridge over the Blue River and the steep grade of the ramp to westbound I-70 from US 6/State Highway 9 makes merging onto the highway difficult. CDOT is committed to addressing these specific problem areas while the feasibility study is temporarily shelved. The data gathered from the study so far will be well documented so that we’ll be able to resume the feasibility study process, and ultimately move ahead with the remaining phases of the project – environmental clearance, final design and construction of the project as funding is identified.


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