To: VVHA
Membership and Interested Parties
From: Jim
Lamont
Date: August
21, 2006
RE:
Executive Summary - Town of Vail 20/20 Community Visioning Process and I-70
Issues
The Association
urges participants in the Town of Vail 20/20 community-visioning program to
communicate their concerns regarding I-70 noise and expansion issues during
the August 22nd and 24th proceedings. To assist in
framing the discussion, the Association is providing the attached background
report regarding the future of Interstate 70. Access
1-70 Update Report.
Executive Summary - Eliminating I-70, A
Grand Vision for Vail
This following report
examines the planned expansion of Interstate 70 and the negative effects the
increased traffic will have on the quality-of-life and future of the Vail
resort community. It explores two options to better the town of Vail by
constructing a bypass-tunnel under Vail Mountain or bury the I-70
right-of-way in a “cut and cover” tunnel method. The Association uses
studies from European ski communities who were faced with similar dilemmas
and were able to create permanent solutions that protected their environment
and culture, and preserved the character of the entire community to the
benefit of all its inhabitants.
The report updates
the initial VVHA I-70 report (December 2005). The update addresses
“privatization” as a method to finance the I-70 bypass through tolls.
Interstate toll roads are now permitted in limited circumstances by Federal
transportation authorities. The toll tunnel bypass may significantly reduce
the need to urbanize (develop) the current I-70 right-of-way to finance the
bypass tunnel, as was considered in the VVHA December report.
The Association is encouraging the Town of Vail to include the concept of
eliminating the negative impacts of I-70 from the community as well as
encouraging advanced regional mass transportation systems in its long-range
master planning. The Association supports actively pursuing these projects
with State and Federal transportation authorities. Further, the Association
is urging the Town of Vail to implement short-term solutions such as
resurfacing I-70 with “quiet pavement” and the installation of aesthetically
compatible sound barriers in areas where they would be effective.
Additionally, improvements to the Eagle County Airport and connecting mass
transportation systems are being advocated.
PDF Print Version.
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