01046203

Component

The US 285 (Foxton Road to Bailey) project was developed using context sensitive solutions (CSS) principles that resulted in cost savings and time savings to the project. This paper documents those cost and time savings and describes the process that led to the agreed-upon design solution. The US 285 corridor is a fast-growing area that is a bedroom community to the Denver metropolitan area and is one of the major recreational routes to the mountains for Denver residents. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the corridor began in June 2002. During the scoping process, agreements were set in place that not only set the stage for the CSS process but also resulted in time savings to the project. The CSS process developed early on was so successful in building public support and minimizing environmental impacts that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) decided in December 2003 to downgrade the EIS to an Environmental Assessment (EA). The CSS process resulted in a Preferred Alternative that saved over $59 million, addressed the purpose and need for the project, reduced preparation and review time, and allowed an early action breakout project to proceed independently addressing a critical safety concern. This paper documents the various efficiencies that were realized during the process. In total, over $59 million in estimated project costs were saved because of the various processes conducted and design solutions applied.

01042056

07-0098

English

14p

2007

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

CD-ROM

Figures; Photos; References (3)

Benefit cost analysis; Context sensitive design; Corridors; Environmental impact statements; Environmental impacts; Environmental policy; Highway corridors; Highway design; Transportation corridors

Context sensitive solutions

Denver (Colorado)

Design; Energy; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Terminals and Facilities; I15: Environment; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-0098

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2007 4:39PM