Inside Firestone

Firestone Lends Support to North I-25 Final Environmental Impact Statement

With Interstate 25 being the primary travel corridor for many Firestone residents, the Town of Firestone has sent a letter of support to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) regarding the North I-25 Final Environmental Impact Statement. Not only was the letter mailed to the consultant on the project – Felsburg Holt & Ullevig of Centennial – but Town of Firestone Engineer Dave Lindsay read it into the official record on Sept. 12, 2011, at a public hearing at the Southwest Weld County building in Firestone. The hearing was the first of three planned the week of Sept. 12, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The Environmental Impact Statement is a study that was conducted to evaluate environmental impacts of various alternative solutions to transportation problems, with an end goal of finding a solution with the least possible environmental impact. The study, which was started in 2003 and cost an estimated $22 million, is required to comply with NEPA because federal funds are being used for the project.

The study involved CDOT staff, a consultant team and volunteer representatives from local and county government agencies within the study area who spent years identifying the primary problems on I-25 and developing potential solutions. While the team developed three solutions, the Preferred Alternative is the one CDOT recommends, and that the Town of Firestone supports.

Firestone Mayor Chad Auer wrote in the support letter: “The Final EIS, seven years and $22 million in the making, presents a thorough and complete evaluation of alternative solutions to the Northern Front Range’s pending transportation needs in compliance with NEPA requirements.”

The Town of Firestone believes the Preferred Alternative addressed the major issue of I-25 congestion with a blend of improvements to the roadway to increase capacity and travel efficiency. Phase 1 of the plan would be completed by 2035 and includes widening, interchange improvements, car pool lots, bus service and rail right-of-way preservation. CDOT is working on prioritization of Phase 1.

As the main street of the Northern Front Range, I-25 will need to endure these critical improvements in order to keep the flow of transportation and success to this region. To Firestone residents, the I-25 improvements will be substantial, with more people leaving the town daily to commute to work. As the primary travel corridor, improving I-25 will relieve congestion and improve travel times that will make commuting more efficient to existing and future residents. In addition, the planned bus and future rail service offer a transit alternative to commuters that does not exist today.

Read the support letter sent to CDOT on behalf of the Town of Firestone.

Northern Colorado Business Report story: Firestone supports North I-25 Final EIS