Regional Boards > Mountain West
I-70 in Colorado: Mountain Corridor Upgrades
froggie:
--- Quote ---A $3.5 billion pricetag for this project seems extremely optimistic.
--- End quote ---
My thought as well, especially considering the distance, the terrain, and the need for additional tunnel bores.
I think Brad's right as well...only way this becomes even remotely financially viable is if you toll the mainline as well. Unfortunately, I think the only place CDOT could legally do that (under current Federal law) would be at the Eisenhower Tunnel itself....while Federal law limits proposals to toll existing free Interstates to 3 pilot projects (all currently taken), there's more flexibility when it comes to potentially tolling bridges and tunnels.
Zmapper:
--- Quote from: froggie on August 11, 2013, 12:43:19 PM ---
--- Quote ---A $3.5 billion pricetag for this project seems extremely optimistic.
--- End quote ---
My thought as well, especially considering the distance, the terrain, and the need for additional tunnel bores.
I think Brad's right as well...only way this becomes even remotely financially viable is if you toll the mainline as well. Unfortunately, I think the only place CDOT could legally do that (under current Federal law) would be at the Eisenhower Tunnel itself....while Federal law limits proposals to toll existing free Interstates to 3 pilot projects (all currently taken), there's more flexibility when it comes to potentially tolling bridges and tunnels.
--- End quote ---
To be clear, states are allowed to toll existing bridges and tunnels? Hypothetically speaking, could CDOT toll a "bridge" over some insignificant creek and dedicate the revenue to the corridor, or would revenue generated be limited to just the "bridge" segment in question?
brad2971:
--- Quote from: Zmapper on August 11, 2013, 12:43:11 AM ---If Parsons can construct the additional lanes with minimal governmental subsidy, it would be fully worth it.
Additionally, a coach transit solution should be evaluated. Right now, many RTD intercity coaches are used during the weekday peak, but otherwise idle. Perhaps after the Friday evening rush, RTD coaches could depart the various metro-area park-n-rides to the mountains, and return on Sunday, in time for the Monday morning rush. RTD already has experience with a similar service to the airport, SkyRide, and should be able to use their knowledge to operate a service to the mountains.
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While this idea is one that definitely should be explored, bear in mind that it would likely be ECO Transit (Eagle County) and/or SummitStage (Summit County) that would run this shuttle. Too many issues with RTD (a standalone political subdivision of the state of CO) going out of its service area for them to run this service.
Again, let's all bear in mind that outside those winter and summer weekends, I-70 is very much a free-flowing interstate.
NE2:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/fact_sheets/tolling_programs.htm
--- Quote ---The ISRRPP allows the conversion of free Interstate highways into toll facilities in conjunction with needed reconstruction or rehabilitation that is only possible with the collection of tolls. Congress has authorized up to three slots in the program, which must be used for projects in different states. At the present time, all three slots are conditionally reserved for States that are currently developing applications to the program.
--- End quote ---
It seems that they can put tolls anywhere, not just on bridges or tunnels.
froggie:
That's the three pilot project bit I mentioned earlier, but there's another subset of Federal law that allow it on bridges and tunnels....I don't have the details offhand.
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